Ice-Inspired Lubricated Drug Delivery Particles from Microfluidic Electrospray for Osteoarthritis Treatment

Particle-based drug delivery systems have a demonstrated value in osteoarthritis treatment. Research in this area trends to developing functional particles to improve the therapeutic effects. Herein, inspired by the super lubricated surface of ice that consists of a contiguous and ultrathin layer of bound water, we developed a 2-methylacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) decorated methacrylate anhydride- hyaluronic acid (HAMA) drug delivery particle with satisfying strength and enhanced lubrication from microfluidic electrospray for osteoarthritis treatment. Benefiting from the precise control of microfluidic electrospray flows, the generated drug delivery particles are imparted with well-tailored sizes and good dispersion. As the generated HAMA particles were modified by MPC with the positively (N⁺(CH₃)₃) and negatively (PO₄^–) charged chemical groups, they were imparted with enhanced lubrication effect and reduced friction on the joint interface by forming a hydrated lubricating layer. We have demonstrated that the MPC-modified HAMA particles could be employed as microcarriers for loading diclofenac sodium (DS) to inhibit the inflammatory response, thus further enhancing the osteoarthritis therapeutic effect in vivo and in vitro. Thus, the proposed drug delivery particles with satisfactory biocompatibility and therapeutic effect are great potential for clinical applications.