Enhancement of Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Curcumin Through Hyaluronic Acid Decorated Niosomal Nanoparticles for Effective Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by joint pain, swelling, and erosion, affecting approximately 0.5-1.0% of the global population. Nanomedicine offers a promising approach for targeted rheumatoid arthritis therapy by utilizing modified nanoparticles for treatment, diagnosis, and targeted delivery in RA management. In this study, we aimed to enhance the bioavailability of curcumin, an anti-rheumatoid agent, using niosomal nanoparticles (NPs) coated with hyaluronic acid for targeted delivery to rheumatoid cells. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated from blood samples of rheumatoid arthritis patients and healthy individuals. The Hyalo-Nio-curcumin NPs were synthesized using the thin-film method. The drug release pattern of curcumin was studied, and these NPs were examined using dynamic light scattering (DLS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) techniques. Various factors such as superoxide dismutase) SOD), interleukin-1 beta) IL-1β, (interleukin-6) IL-6, interleukin-10 (IL-10), malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 2 (TIMP2), matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2), and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-Β ligand (RANKL) were assessed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The synthesized Hyalo-Nio-curcumin NPs exhibited a spherical morphology with sizes of 179 ± 21.6 nm, a polydispersity index of 0.596, and a zeta potential of − 28.1 ± 6.3. FT-IR analysis confirmed the effective encapsulation of substances within the Hyalo-Nio-curcumin NPs. Treatment with Hyalo-Nio-curcumin NPs led to a significant reduction in MDA, as well as decreased activity of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6) and downregulation of inflammation-related genes (MMP2, RANKL). Conversely, there was an increase in the activity of IL-10, CAT, GPx, SOD, and gene expression of TIMP2. This study demonstrates the significant potential of hyaluronic acid-coated niosomal curcumin nanoparticles in enhancing the bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy of curcumin for RA treatment. The novel use of these targeted NPs resulted in substantial anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, suggesting a promising approach for improving RA management through nanomedicine.