journal article·2026-07-06Open access

ROS‐Targeted Nanomotor Therapy in OA: Cartilage Protection and Pain Relief

Meng Zheng, Changyu Liu, Qin Xia, Arndt F. Schilling, Jiawei Jiang, Renpeng Peng, Zixing Shu, Tian Ma, Danni Luo, Yaoyu Zhang, Yibo Fan, Xuyuan Zhang, Song Li, Kai Wang, Wentao Ke, Yuan Xiong, Yuanli Zhu, Fangzhi Mou, Jun Xiao, Hao Zhu

Abstract

ABSTRACT Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent degenerative joint disease with limited effective treatment options. Joint inflammatory pain is a primary reason patients seek care, but systemic drug administration often causes severe side effects, while intra‐articular injection suffers from rapid clearance and poor tissue penetration. Herein, we develop nanozyme‐based Janus nanomotors loaded with metformin (MET) for reactive oxygen species (ROS)‐targeted therapy in OA. Leveraging intrinsic superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) enzymatic activity, these nanomotors harness pathologically elevated ROS within the articular microenvironment as chemical fuel, achieving self‐propelled deep penetration into both cartilage and synovial tissue. This mechanism facilitates simultaneous on‐the‐move ROS scavenging and sustained deep‐tissue MET release, which further restores redox homeostasis and protects chondrocytes by regulating the NRF2/KEAP1 signaling pathway. Furthermore, the nanomotors can suppress nociceptive signaling in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG), thereby alleviating joint pain and improving mobility. This research offers a novel and efficient approach for cartilage protection and arthritis pain management.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline

Research context

OpenAlex topics: Micro and Nano Robotics · Nanoplatforms for cancer theranostics · Advanced Nanomaterials in Catalysis

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Department of Orthopaedics Tongji Hospital Tongji Medical College Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan China

Department of Trauma Surgery Orthopaedics and Plastic Surgery University Medical Center Göttingen Göttingen Germany

Department of Pathology Tongji Hospital Tongji Medical College Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan China

State Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Materials Synthesis and Processing Wuhan University of Technology Wuhan China

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China · Natural Science Foundation of Hubei Province

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