Imidazolium-Based Ionic Liquid-Assisted Preparation of Nano-Spheres Loaded with Bio-Active Peptides to Decrease Inflammation in an Osteoarthritis Model: Ex Vivo Evaluations

Stimulus-Responsive Drug Delivery Nanoplatforms for Osteoarthritis Therapy

Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most prevalent age-related degenerative diseases. With an increasingly aging global population, greater numbers of OA patients are providing clear economic and societal burdens. Surgical and pharmacological treatments are the most common and conventional therapeutic strategies for OA, but often fall considerably short of desired or optimal outcomes. With the development of stimulus-responsive nanoplatforms has come the potential for improved therapeutic strategies for OA. Enhanced control, longer retention time, higher loading rates, and increased sensitivity are among the potential benefits. This review summarizes the advanced application of stimulus-responsive drug delivery nanoplatforms for OA, categorized by either those that depend on endogenous stimulus (reactive oxygen species, pH, enzyme, and temperature), or those that depend on exogenous stimulus (near-infrared ray, ultrasound, magnetic fields). The opportunities, restrictions, and limitations related to these various drug delivery systems, or their combinations, are discussed in areas such as multi-functionality, image guidance, and multi-stimulus response. The remaining constraints and potential solutions that are represented by the clinical application of stimulus-responsive drug delivery nanoplatforms are finally summarized.

Therapeutic potential of nanotechnology-based approaches in osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a multifactorial disease that affects the entire joint, often resulting in severe pain, disability, psychological distress, and a lower quality of life. Patient self-management is emphasized in OA clinical recommendations. Currently, the clinical treatment of OA mainly focuses on pain relief and the improvement of joint function, with few options for regenerating degenerative cartilage or slowing the progression of OA. Therefore, we first reviewed the current treatment of OA, and then summarized the research advances of nanotechnology in OA treatment, including nano drug delivery systems for small molecule drugs, nucleic acids and proteins, nano-scaffolds for cartilage regeneration, and nanoparticle lubricants. Finally, we discussed the opportunities and potential challenges of nanotechnology in OA treatment.

A Novel Vaccaria Semen Carbonisatum Carbon Nanocomposites and Their Protective Effects on Alcohol-Induced Liver Injury in Mice

Objective: To discover the efficacy of Vaccariae Semen Carbonisatum nano-components (VSC-NCs) on alcoholic liver injury in mice. Methods: VSC was calcined at high temperature in a muffle furnace, and VSC-NCs were extracted and isolated. Mouse model of alcoholic liver injury was used and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bile acid (TBA), oxidative stress and histopathological assessments were done. Results: Characterization and analysis showed that VSC-NCs were spherical, with a particle size distribution of 1.0 to 5.5 nm. The results of animal experiments showed that VSC-NCs could significantly reduce the content of ALT, AST, TBA and ALP in mice with alcohol-induced liver injury, and at the same time significantly increase the level of SOD and reduce the level of malondialdehyde. These results indicated that VSC-NCs could improve the scavenging of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the body. The ability to reduce the production of lipid peroxides, so as to achieve hepatoprotective effect. Conclusion: VSC-NCs were prepared for the first time, and was confirmed that it has a significant protective effect on liver injury caused by alcohol. In addition, VSC-NCs can be used as a potential drug for the treatment of alcohol-induced liver injury.

Knee Osteoarthritis Therapy: Recent Advances in Intra-Articular Drug Delivery Systems

Drug delivery for osteoarthritis (OA) treatment is a continuous challenge because of their poor bioavailability and rapid clearance in joints. Intra-articular (IA) drug delivery is a common strategy and its therapeutic effects depend mainly on the efficacy of the drug-delivery system used for OA therapy. Different types of IA drug-delivery systems, such as microspheres, nanoparticles, and hydrogels, have been rapidly developed over the past decade to improve their therapeutic effects. With the continuous advancement in OA mechanism research, new drugs targeting specific cell/signaling pathways in OA are rapidly evolving and effective drug delivery is critical for treating OA. In this review, recent advances in various IA drug-delivery systems for OA treatment, OA targeted strategies, and related signaling pathways in OA treatment are summarized and analyzed based on current publications.