Fig. 5

In vivo anti-arthritis efficacy of acupoint nanocomposite hydrogel. a Histological sections with H&E, Masson, SO-FG and T&B staining of joints in different groups. G1: ST36 TP-CCPA-solution, G2: ST36 TP-CCPA-Gel, G3: ST36 TP@HSA NPs-CCPA-Gel, G4: Non-acupoint TP@HSA NPs-CCPA-Gel). Asterisks: formation of pannus. Red arrows: invasion of inflammation. Green arrows: destruction of cartilage. Blue line: narrow joint space. Yellow arrows: destruction of cartilage. Black triangle: loss of proteoglycan. Scale bar: 200 μm. b Histopathologic scores of synovial inflammation, bone erosion, and cartilage degradation. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001