Development of hyaluronic acid hydrogel containing prednisolone‐encapsulated nonphospholipid liposomes for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis
Journal
Journal of Biomedical Materials Research - Part B Applied Biomaterials
Journal Volume
112
Journal Issue
8
Start Page
e35453
ISSN
1552-4973
1552-4981
Date Issued
2024-08
Author(s)
Chin‐Ju Chen
DOI
10.1002/jbm.b.35453
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) requires therapeutic approaches that alleviate symptoms and inhibit the progression of joint damage. Glucocorticoids (GCs) have been a cornerstone of RA treatment, yet their use is often limited by side effects. Recent advancements suggest that liposome-based delivery systems can improve GC biodistribution, minimizing toxicity. This study introduces an innovative tool for RA treatment using prednisone-encapsulated nonphospholipid liposomes (NPLs) in combination with a hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogel. Our methodology involved incorporating prednisone (PR) with palmitic acid and cholesterol to formulate stable NPLs using a thin-film hydration technique. The synthesized PR-NPLs, characterized by a mean size of 150 nm, demonstrated uniform distribution and higher drug encapsulation in comparison with conventional phospholipid liposomes. In vitro assays revealed that PR-NPL markedly reduced inflammatory responses in macrophages. Additionally, we successfully incorporated PR-NPL into an HA hydrogel, employing a photoinitiated cross-linking process. This novel composite offered modulable PR release, governed by the degree of hydrogel cross-linking. The developed system presents a promising advancement in RA management, especially suited for intraarticular injections. It potentially enables targeted, controlled drug release with a reduced risk of side effects, signifying a significant improvement over existing RA therapies.
Subjects
anti-inflammatory
hyaluronic hydrogel
nonphospholipid liposome
prednisone
rheumatoid arthritis
SDGs
Publisher
Wiley
Type
journal article