Fig. 2

a Arthritic severity scores of CIA were monitored every 7 days after booster immunization. ^** P < 0.01 indicates model group vs. normal group; ^# P < 0.05 and ^## P < 0.01 indicate treatment groups vs. model group. b Safranin O staining of the articular cartilage. The arrows indicate Safranin O staining. c Immunohistochemical staining for IL-1β. The arrows indicate the location of IL-1β. d Immunohistochemistry staining for IL-17. The arrows indicate the location of IL-17. The results of integrated optical density (IOD) analysis are presented in the bar charts. Data are presented as the means ± S.D. (n = 3). The specimens were observed and photographed under a light microscope (Leica, DM RXA2) at magnification of 200 ×; a normal group, b model group, c group treated with LEF, d group treated with XFHM. The scale bar corresponds to 60 μm throughout