Celastrus aculeatusMerr. suppresses the induction and progression of autoimmune arthritis by modulating immune response to heat-shock protein 65

Table 1 Quantification of histological changes in the hind paws of Celastrus-fed (experimental) versus water-fed (control) Lewis rats

Group (n)	Cellular infiltrate^a	Synovial hyperplasia^a	Cartilage damage^a	Bone erosion^a
Water-fed
Day 12 (10)	2 (1–3)	3 (2–3)	2.5 (0–3)	2.5 (0–3)
Day 24 (10)	3 (2–3)	3 (3–3)	3 (1–3)	3 (0–3)
Celastrus-fed
Day 12 (10)	1 (0–2)*	0 (0–2)*	0 (0–2)*	0 (0–1)*
Day 24 (9)	1 (0–3)*	1 (0–2)*	1 (0–2)*	1 (0–1)*

The results shown are the median (interquartile range) scores of histological sections of the left or the right hind paw using the grading system described in 'Materials and methods'. ^aHistological grading of each parameter was done as follows: 0 = absent; 1 = mild; 2 = moderate; 3 = severe. *p < 0.01, comparing the results of the respective Celastrus-fed versus water-fed groups.

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