DMARDS incorporated injectable hydrogels in cartilage tissue regeneration: a review

ABSTRACT

In the field of regenerative medicine, cartilage tissue regeneration presents a challenge because it is not sufficiently self-healing. Rheumatic diseases like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, among various others, contribute to cartilage damage causing pain, inflammation and immobility of joints. In recent years, administration of disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) by incorporating them into injectable hydrogels has emerged as a promising approach to cartilage tissue regeneration. DMARDs exhibit anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties which contribute in reduction of inflammation. These characteristics enable them to control inflammatory response, encourage chondrogenesis and thereby facilitate regeneration of cartilage. Pre-clinical and clinical research has been reported for safety and effectiveness where hydrogels containing DMARDs show promising efficacy and safety. Drug concentrations of DMARDs are tailored based on effective concentration, delivery, structural integrity of hydrogels in consideration with pharmacodynamics and physicochemical properties. Ongoing research is evaluating long-term safety and therapeutic potential. Some hydrogel systems are already approved and commercially available, while others are in optimization studies. This review summarizes current landscape of injectable hydrogels containing DMARDs, highlighting their application in cartilage tissue regeneration, encompassing both pre-clinical and clinical research that has evidenced safety and effectiveness and also providing insights into market prospects.

Graphical Abstract

KEYWORDS:

• Cartilage tissue regeneration
• chondrogenesis
• disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs)
• inflammation
• injectable hydrogels

Disclosure statement

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

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Urwa Ayaz

Urwa Ayaz, Researcher, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Central Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan.

Muhammad Zaman

Muhammad Zaman, Associate Professor, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Central Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan.

Huma Hameed

Huma Hameed, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Central Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan.

Saba Naeem

Saba Naeem, Lecturer / Researcher, Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lahore University of Biological & Applied Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan.

Iqra Noor Khan

Iqra Noor Khan, Lecturer / Researcher, Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lahore University of Biological & Applied Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan.

Muhammad Ahsan Waqar

Muhammad Ahsan Waqar, Lecturer / Researcher, Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lahore University of Biological & Applied Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan.

Sania Niaz

Sania Niaz, Researcher, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Central Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan.

Nelofer Ereej

Nelofer Ereej, Researcher, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Central Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan.

Ahmad Salawi

Ahmad Salawi, Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia.