Calcium ions hyaluronan/gellan gum protective shell for delivery of oleuropein in the knee

Abstract

Oleuropein has several beneficial properties. Strong evidences of its role in preventing osteoarthritis and playing analgesic and sedative effects are gaining. Starting from that, we entrapped a vegetal bioactive matrix rich in oleuropein into calcium ions crosslinked gellan gum and hyaluronan formulations. Infrared spectroscopy and thermal analysis confirmed the absence of significant interactions between the polysaccharide shells and the bioactive matrix, thus guaranteeing a burst release of oleuropein. The adequate mechanical performance of the systems for the foreseen application as viscosupplement was also verified. Cytocompatibility of developed systems toward fibroblasts and human chondrocytes was assessed.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• Antioxidant
• gellan gum
• hyaluronic acid
• oleuropein
• viscosupplement

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank INSTM for support.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

Data will be made available upon request to the corresponding author.