Fig. 2

MON inhibited IL-1β-stimulated cartilage matrix degradation and apoptosis of chondrocytes. A Co-immunofluorescence staining of Collagen II (green)/MMP13 (red) and relative quantification of Collagen II or MMP13 positive cells in IL-1β-induced chondrocytes after MON treatment. B Western blot analysis and relative quantification showing the expression levels of cartilage matrix degradation related proteins (MMP3, MMP13, Collagen II and SOX9) in IL-1β-induced chondrocytes after MON treatment. C TUNEL staining showing the chondrocyte apoptosis and quantitative estimation of the number of TUNEL positive cells in IL-1β-induced chondrocytes after MON treatment. D Western blot analysis and relative quantification showing the expression levels of apoptosis related proteins (Bcl-2, Bax and Cleaved caspase-3) in IL-1β-induced chondrocytes after MON treatment. All experiments were performed in triplicated and data were presented as the mean ± SD, n = 3 per group. ^##P < 0. 01 versus control group;*P < 0. 05, **P < 0. 01 versus IL-1β group