Fig. 4

Studying effect of I3C on the tibiotarsal joint in the ankle at a histological level. a H&E staining was done to study cellular infiltration (*), synovial hyperplasia (↑), pannus formation (►). Arthritic non-treated model group reveals severe pathological changes while the treated groups reveal reduced pathological changes. b, c Toluidine Blue O was used to qualitatively assess the proteoglycan content in the cartilage while Masson’s Trichrome was used to qualitatively assess the presence of calcified cartilage. Toluidine Blue staining of arthritic non-treated model group reveal the presence of locally extensive areas of superficial matrix pallor accompanied by degeneration of chondrocytes while Masson’s Trichrome stain reveal substantial amounts of red color staining in the non-calcified cartilage region (superficial layer of cartilage) signifying the heavy presence of calcified cartilage. All treated groups reveal less damage exerted on the cartilage. B: bone, C: cartilage, S: synovium. Photomicrographs (A) at × 40; (B, C) at × 200