Inorganic Nanomaterials for Osteoarthritis: From Delivery Vehicles to Therapeutic Agents

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common heterogeneous disorder affecting the whole joint. It presents significant challenges in current treatment, which remains based on symptomatic management rather than mechanistically alleviating OA. Inorganic nanomaterials have emerged as a significant research field in modern materials science due to their unique physicochemical properties and wide range of potential applications. This review focuses on the transformation of the role of inorganic nanomaterials from delivery tools to therapeutic agents in the treatment of OA. It examines various nanomaterials, including carbon-based, silicon-based, and transition metal-based, that deliver drugs to alleviate swelling, inflammation, and pain in the joint. It also highlights inorganic nanomaterials that function autonomously through lubrication, photothermal therapy, electrical stimulation therapy, superparamagnetic properties, and enzyme-like activities. Overall, this review encapsulates the evolution of inorganic nanomaterials in the treatment of OA, from serving solely as delivery vehicles to becoming therapeutic agents, forecasting a future where they evolve toward autonomous functioning and integrated therapeutics for OA.