Cheng-Yu Shentu,1 Hao-Bin Wang,1 Xiao Peng,2 Dong-Chen Xu,1 Li-Na Qian,1 Yong Chen,1,2 Li-Hua Peng1– 3 

1College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China; 2Jinhua Institute of Zhejiang University, Jinhua, Zhejiang, 321299, People’s Republic of China; 3State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, Macau SAR, People’s Republic of China

Correspondence: Li-Hua Peng; Yong Chen, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China, Email lhpeng@zju.edu.cn; chenyong1@zju.edu.cn

Abstract: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative disease commonly seen in middle-aged and elderly people. Multiple cytokines are involved in the local tissue damage in OA. Currently, non-pharmacologic and surgical interventions are the main conventional approaches for the treatment of OA. In terms of pharmaceutical drug therapy, NSAIDs and acetaminophen are mainly used to treat OA. However, it is prone to various adverse reactions such as digestive tract ulcer, thromboembolism, prosthesis loosening, nerve injury and so on. With the in-depth study of OA, more and more novel topical drug delivery strategies and vehicles have been developed, which can make up for the shortcomings of traditional dosage forms, improve the bioavailability of drugs, and significantly reduce drug side effects. This review summarizes the immunopathogenesis, treatment guidelines, and progress and challenges of topical delivery technologies of OA, with some perspectives on the future pharmacological treatment of OA proposed.

Keywords: topical drug delivery, immuno-therapy, cytokines, osteoarthritis