New Delhi, Feb 4 (NationPress) Researchers from the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST) Mohali, an autonomous entity of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), have introduced a groundbreaking “self-actuating” drug delivery mechanism that has the potential to transform the management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) impacts millions globally, leading to chronic inflammation, severe pain, and irreversible joint deterioration.

Conventional treatments typically depend on systemic drug distribution, which comes with the risks of side effects and necessitates frequent dosing. In contrast, this innovative approach directly targets inflammation within the joints, ensuring that therapeutic agents are released precisely when required, as stated by the researchers.

The new system reacts specifically to the biochemical signals present in the inflamed synovial environment, utilizing specially engineered microspheres loaded with methotrexate—a widely utilized anti-rheumatic medication.

“These microspheres are designed to detect inflammation in joints and dispense the drug solely when necessary, reducing side effects and enhancing therapeutic effectiveness,” explained the team led by Dr. Rahul Kumar Verma from the Institute.

The formulation comprises polymer-lipid hybrid micro-composites, where the lipid element (soya lecithin) guarantees high drug encapsulation efficiency, and the polymer element (gelatin) offers responsiveness to Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP).

In animal trials, this method significantly alleviated joint swelling, inflammation, and cartilage harm while promoting joint repair, according to the team.

“This system utilizes the unique biochemical signals found in the inflamed synovial microenvironment to release therapeutic agents exactly when required. The gelatin substrate is cleaved upon exposure to these enzymes, initiating the release of the encapsulated drug in a controlled, pulsatile manner,” the researchers stated in their publication in the journal Biomaterial Advances.

The results could provide a safer, more effective alternative to current RA therapies by eliminating the necessity for frequent drug injections and minimizing systemic toxicity.

This system boosts drug effectiveness by enhancing bioavailability and retention in the affected joints, leading to prolonged relief with fewer doses. This translates to less pain, better joint functionality, and a slower progression of joint damage for patients.

Beyond arthritis, this technology shows potential for treating other inflammatory conditions like synovitis and inflammatory bowel disease. It could also pave the way for innovative biomaterials in regenerative medicine and personalized therapies, the researchers added.