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Purpose: Cartilage degradation usually results as a consequence of inflammatory processes in the joints. To study this phenomenon experimentally, adjuvant-induced arthritis ((AIA)) was used as a model of chronic inflammation under the influence of irradiation. The potential chondroprotective effect of 13%% aqueous extract of propolis ((AEP)) in arthritic rats was investigated. Materials and methods: The influence of whole body irradiation on the arthritic inflammatory response was investigated by subjecting rats to a Gamma source before the induction of arthritis. 13%% AEP was injected intraperitoneally in a dose of 5 ml//kg and diclofenac was used as reference non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug ((NSAID)) in a dose of 3 mg//kg. The chosen parameters for cartilage integrity were glycosaminoglycan ((GAG)), hydroxyproline contents in cartilage and cartilage oligomeric matrix protein ((COMP)) in serum. The serum levels of tumour necrosis factor-alpha ((TNF-αα)), nitric oxide ((NO)) and the oxidative stress biomarkers such as blood glutathione ((GSH)) and plasma malondialdehyde ((MDA)) levels. Results: Induction of arthritis led to a reduction in GAG and hydroxyproline content of femoral cartilage and a corresponding rise in COMP in serum. Previous exposure to irradiation resulted in a milder reduction of GAG and hydroxyproline and a lesser rise in COMP. Treatment of arthritic irradiated and non-irradiated rats with 13%% AEP markedly prevented the breakdown of cartilage in a much more effective manner than diclofenac. Both AEP and diclofenac were equipotent in reducing the level of TNF-αα and were able to normalize NO and the oxidative stress biomarkers in non-irradiated and irradiated arthritic rats. Conclusion: The ability of propolis to protect cartilage degradation could therefore prove of value in the treatment of chronic arthritic diseases, offering an advantage over some NSAID, particularly those with a potential detrimental effect on cartilage integrity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]