RESUMO
Aim: Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease affecting the joints. Antiarthritic drugs are given systemically, thereby exposing various healthy organs to these drugs, resulting in adverse reactions. Accordingly, there is an urgent need for targeted drug delivery methods for inflamed joints. Materials & methods: We developed a liposomal drug delivery system using a novel peptide ligand (CKPFDRALC) named ART-2, which homes to the inflamed joints when injected intravenously to rats with adjuvant-induced arthritis. Results: The ART-2-coated liposomes encapsulating an antiarthritic drug, dexamethasone (DEX), were more effective in inhibiting arthritis progression than control-DEX liposomes or free DEX, despite a comparable safety profile. Conclusion: Peptide-targeted therapy has advantages over conventional drug delivery and can be adapted for rheumatoid arthritis therapy.
Assuntos
Anti-Inflamatórios/química , Artrite Experimental/tratamento farmacológico , Dexametasona/química , Lipossomos/química , Peptídeos/química , Animais , Anti-Inflamatórios/farmacocinética , Sobrevivência Celular , Dexametasona/farmacocinética , Composição de Medicamentos/métodos , Células Endoteliais da Veia Umbilical Humana , Humanos , Articulações/metabolismo , Masculino , Terapia de Alvo Molecular/métodos , Fosfatidilcolinas/química , Fosfatidiletanolaminas/química , Ratos , Ratos Endogâmicos Lew , Propriedades de Superfície , Distribuição TecidualRESUMO
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, debilitating illness characterized by painful swelling of the joints, inflammation of the synovial lining of the joints, and damage to cartilage and bone. Several anti-inflammatory and disease-modifying drugs are available for RA therapy. However, the prolonged use of these drugs is associated with severe side effects. Furthermore, these drugs are effective only in a proportion of RA patients. Hence, there is a need to search for new therapeutic agents that are effective yet safe. Interestingly, a variety of herbs and other natural products offer a vast resource for such anti-arthritic agents. We discuss here the basic features of RA pathogenesis; the commonly used animal models of RA; the mainstream drugs used for RA; the use of well-characterized natural products possessing anti-arthritic activity; the application of nanoparticles for efficient delivery of such products; and the interplay between dietary products and the host microbiome for maintenance of health and disease induction. We believe that with several advances in the past decade in the characterization and functional studies of natural products, the stage is set for widespread clinical testing and/or use of these products for the treatment of RA and other diseases.