Simultaneous Immunomodulation and Tissue Protection on the Rheumatoid Arthritis Models Using a Tragacanth Frankincense-Based Core–Shell Nanostructure

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that requires anti-inflammatory drugs, analgesics, and tissue protectors. To deal with this disease, the pain and inflammation should be relieved in the first stage, and tissue protectors should be used to restore joint damage that limits movement. Therefore, a comprehensive multifunctional core–shell nanocomposite (TFH@TA/AuNPs-HDA) with a continuous anti-inflammatory effect and a special tissue protection potential in the core was designed. Here, the hydrothermal reaction was applied to synthesize the hydrogel core from tragacanth and frankincense gums; then, the shell was self-assembled with tannic acid/gold nanoparticles (TA/AuNPs) and 10-hydroxy-2-decanoic acid (10-HDA). The biocompatibility, anti-inflammatory properties, and tissue protective effect of TFH@TA/AuNPs-HDA were investigated on RAW264.7 cells and in collagen-induced RA rat models. Moreover, the molecular docking demonstrated the interactions of 10-HDA and AuNPs with NF-κB signaling pathway proteins, confirming the anti-inflammatory effect of 10-HDA and AuNP suppression of the NF-κB pathway. The results revealed that TFH@TA/AuNPs-HDA could be an appropriate system for RA therapy due to the synergistic alleviation of inflammation and joint tissue destruction.