IL6 and arthritic joint disease: Collectively, in the current study, UP1306 orally supplemented rats experienced (a) reduced inflammation as reflected by reduced arthritis index, paw thickness, paw edema, and reduced inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α), (b) decreased pain sensitivity, and (c) increased cartilage sparing activity and maintenance of articular structure as indicated by lower uCTX-II and cartilage degrading enzymes (MMP-13 and MMP-3).