ArticleDrug delivery and translational research2021
Synergistic and receptor-mediated targeting of arthritic joints via intra-articular injectable smart hydrogels containing leflunomide-loaded lipid nanocarriers.
Article in Drug delivery and translational research, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 17 papers.
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Who cites it
17 citing papers in PubMed, 45 citations in OpenAlex.
- Hydrogels as Local Structural-Protective Platforms in Rheumatoid Arthritis: An Evidence-Graded Review Across the Synovium-Cartilage-Bone Axis.Gels (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Review
- A comprehensive review on thermo-responsive targeted and functional therapy for management of rheumatoid arthritis.Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's archives of pharmacology · 2026Review
- Innovative approach in Parkinson's targeting via berberine-loaded mucoadhesive surface-modified liposomes: a multi-faceted study.BMC pharmacology & toxicology · 2025Article
- Smart biomaterials in restorative dentistry: Recent advances and future perspectives.Materials today. Bio · 2025Review
- Progress in Hyaluronan-Based Nanoencapsulation Systems for Smart Drug Release and Medical Applications.Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025Review
- Advances in injectable drug delivery systems for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.Biomaterials translational · 2025Review
- Hydrogel-based approaches to target hypersensitivity mechanisms underlying autoimmune disease.Advanced drug delivery reviews · 2024Review
- Article
- Development of biomedical hydrogels for rheumatoid arthritis treatment.Asian journal of pharmaceutical sciences · 2024Review
- Arthritic Microenvironment-Dictated Fate Decisions for Stem Cells in Cartilage Repair.Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany) · 2023Review
- Hyaluronic Acid in Rheumatology.Pharmaceutics · 2023Review
- Preparation, Properties and Therapeutic Effect of a TPL Nanoparticle Thermosensitive Gel for Intra-Articular Injection.Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) · 2023Article
- Intra-articular nanoparticles based therapies for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis management.Materials today. Bio · 2023Article
- Development and Evaluation of Novel Leflunomide SPION Bioemulsomes for the Intra-Articular Treatment of Arthritis.Pharmaceutics · 2022Article
- Research progress in drug therapy of juvenile idiopathic arthritis.World journal of pediatrics : WJP · 2022Review
- Advanced injectable hydrogels for cartilage tissue engineering.Frontiers in bioengineering and biotechnology · 2022Review
- Overcoming transport barrier to immunotherapies.Drug delivery and translational research · 2021Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
4 authors at 3 institutions in 2 countries.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Intra-articular drug delivery represents a tempting strategy for local treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Targeting drugs to inflamed joints bypasses systemic-related side effects. Albeit, rapid drug clearance and short joint residence limit intra-articular administration. Herein, injectable smart hydrogels comprising free/nanoencapsulated leflunomide (LEF) were developed. Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs), 200-300 nm, were coated with either chondroitin sulfate (CHS), hyaluronic acid (HA), or chitosan (CS) to provide joint targetability. Coated NLCs were incorporated in either hyaluronic/pluronic (HP) or chitosan/β-glycerophosphate (CS/βGP) hydrogels. Optimized systems ensured convenient gelation time (14-100 s), injectability (5-15 s), formulation-dependent mechanical strength, and extended LEF release up to 51 days. In vivo intra-articular injection in induced arthritis rat model revealed that rats treated with HA-coated NLCs showed the fastest recovery. Histopathological examination demonstrated perfect joint healing in case of HA-coated LEF-NLCs in CS/βGP thermogel manifested as minor erosion of subchondral bone, improved intensity of extracellular matrix, cartilage thickness, and chondrocyte number. Both HA- and CHS-coated NLCs reduced TNF-α level 4-5-fold relative to positive control. The feat would be achieved via active targeting to CD44 receptors overexpressed in the articular tissue, limiting chondrocyte apoptosis together with innate synergistic targetability by promoting chondrocyte proliferation and neovascularization, inhibiting the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, thus enhancing cartilaginous tissue repair.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.