Fig. 3

SHW administration decreased the serum level of IL-6 and TNF-alpha and did not influence the liver and kidney toxicity markers in the CIA animal models. (a) Experimental schedule. (b-c) Mice were separated into 5 groups (Control; n = 7, CIA; n = 7, CIA + MTX; n = 7, CIA + 100 mg/kg SHW; n = 7, CIA + 500 mg/kg SHW; n = 7). IL-6 and TNF-alpha levels in serum were analyzed by ELISA. Data are presented as the mean ± SEM (n = 7). ^#p < 0.05, versus normal control group; ^*p < 0.05, versus CIA group. Between groups comparisons were conducted using one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s post hoc test. CIA, collagen induced arthritis; MTX, methotrexate; SHW, water extract of Saururus chinensis leaves