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Updated: May 5, 2026

Software-Assisted Quantitative Measurement of Osteoarthritic Subchondral Bone Thickness
Published on: March 18, 2022
sLithospermic acid etched ZIF-8 nanoparticles delays osteoarthritis progression by inhibiting inflammatory signaling
Yu Zhang1, Qiqi Lou1, Hao Lian1
1Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Medicine, Xinhua Hospital, Afffliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200092, China.
Abstract:
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common chronic inflammatory joint disease. Improving the joint inflammatory microenvironment is expected to promote early intervention and delay the progression of OA. However, effective strategies for inhibiting OA-related joint inflammation are still lacking. Lithospermic acid (LA), a polycyclic phenol carboxylic acid extracted from salvia miltiorrhiza, has strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. However, its role in the treatment of OA and the underlying mechanisms are unclear. To improve the bioavailability of LA, an LA synergistic protects etched zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF)-8 nanoparticles (LA@ZIF-8) was designed and developed for targeted delivery to modulate the inflammatory microenvironment in OA. This study confirmed that LA@ZIF-8 inhibits the pro-inflammatory phenotype of RAW264.7 macrophages through the NF-ĸB signaling pathway, effectively alleviates mitochondrial dysfunction, and delays articular cartilage degeneration caused by the joint inflammatory microenvironment mediated by synoval macrophages. In summary, LA@ZIF-8 delays the progression of OA by inhibiting synovial macrophage-mediated inflammatory responses, highlighting its clinical application potential.
Insights
Lithospermic acid nanoparticles (LA@ZIF-8) effectively treat osteoarthritis (OA) by reducing joint inflammation. This novel approach targets synovial macrophages, alleviating mitochondrial dysfunction and delaying cartilage degeneration.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Rheumatology
Background:
- Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent chronic inflammatory joint disease with limited effective intervention strategies.
- The joint inflammatory microenvironment, particularly mediated by synovial macrophages, significantly contributes to OA progression.
- Lithospermic acid (LA), an extract from Salvia miltiorrhiza, possesses anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, but its therapeutic role and mechanisms in OA are not well-understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of lithospermic acid synergistic protected etched zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF)-8 nanoparticles (LA@ZIF-8) in treating OA.
- To elucidate the underlying mechanisms by which LA@ZIF-8 modulates the inflammatory microenvironment in OA.
- To assess the potential of LA@ZIF-8 for targeted delivery and improving the bioavailability of LA for OA treatment.
Main Methods:
- Development of LA@ZIF-8 nanoparticles for enhanced drug delivery and targeted action.
- In vitro assessment of LA@ZIF-8's effect on RAW264.7 macrophage phenotype and the NF-κB signaling pathway.
- Evaluation of LA@ZIF-8's impact on mitochondrial dysfunction and articular cartilage degeneration in an OA model.
Main Results:
- LA@ZIF-8 demonstrated significant inhibition of the pro-inflammatory phenotype in macrophages via the NF-κB signaling pathway.
- Treatment with LA@ZIF-8 effectively alleviated mitochondrial dysfunction associated with OA.
- LA@ZIF-8 significantly delayed articular cartilage degeneration, mitigating the effects of the inflammatory microenvironment.
Conclusions:
- LA@ZIF-8 nanoparticles represent a promising therapeutic strategy for delaying osteoarthritis progression.
- The mechanism involves the inhibition of synovial macrophage-mediated inflammatory responses and improved mitochondrial function.
- LA@ZIF-8 highlights potential clinical applications for managing osteoarthritis through targeted nano-delivery.

