Abstract

Aim/Objectives: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative disease of joints affecting over 7% of the world population, especially females, contributing to 2% of years lived with disability (YLD’s) globally due to pain and impaired movement of limbs viz. hip, shoulder, and knee joint. The present review explores the nano-formulation approaches to improve the therapeutic efficacy of drugs for the treatment of osteoarthritis.

Results and Discussion: The high treatment cost of osteoarthritis not only includes medication but also physiotherapy, adaptive aids, and devices or even surgery that further amounts to the loss of work hours. These medications are only treated symptomatically. Various nanocarriers have created interest of reasearchers in improving the bioavailability of active drugs, thereby, therapeutically improving the action and possible reduction of dose and side effects. Various nanocarriers are available viz. liposome, noisome, transferosome, hydrogel, microemulsion, and nanoparticle formulations for intraarticular, topical, and oral delivery for osteoarthritis treatment.

Methods and Conclusion: This article focuses on novel approaches, such as lipid-based formulations and nano- or microparticles as treatment strategies to minimize side effects by using carriers viz. liposome, noisome, transferosome, hydrogel, microemulsion, and nanoparticle formulations for intraarticular, topical, and even oral delivery.