Water Extract of Acori Graminei Rhizoma Attenuates Features of Rheumatoid Arthritis in DBA/1 Mice

Figure 3

WAG administration diminished CIA-induced swelling of hind legs. (a-c) Mice were separated into five groups (NOR; n=10, Control (CIA); n=10, 0.2 mg/kg MTX; n=10, 100 mg/kg WAG; n=10, 500 mg.kg WAG; n=10). After CIA induction, mice were administered with WAG (100 or 500 mg/kg). Morphological analysis was carried out on hind legs. Rheumatoid arthritis score was assessed weekly beginning from 21 days of immunization. They were examined for four times per week. Clinical assessment is as follows: 0 = symptomless, 2 = erythema, 4 = mild swelling and erythema, 6 = mild swelling, erythema from the tarsals to the ankle, 8 = moderate swelling, erythema from the metatarsal joints to the ankle, and 10 = severe swelling and erythema from the foot to the ankle. Means with difference letters are significantly different at p < 0.05 vs. CIA group by one-way ANOVA with Tukey-Kramer multiple comparison test, CIA, collagen induced arthritis; MTX, methotrexate; WAG, water extracts of Acori Graminei Rhizoma.

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