Chondroprotective effects of madecassoside incorporated alginate di-aldehyde gelatin hydrogel on IL-1 β induced in...

Management of inflammatory osteoarthritis (OA) and associated cartilage degradation is a challenging problem in clinical practice. In this work, Madecassoside (MAD), a triterpenoid saponin in Centella asiatica was incorporated into an injectable hydrogel system formulated from alginate dialdehyde and gelatin (ADAG). The properties of the ADAGMAD, such as water absorption (524 ± 55 %), gelation time (4 min), and compressive mechanical properties (20.8 ± 4.2 kPa at 50 % compression), demonstrate that the characteristics appropriate for cartilage tissue engineering application. The FTIR and XPS spectral analysis revealed the MAD incorporation evidenced by shifts in the absorption peaks and binding energy of ADAG, respectively. The therapeutic effect of ADAGMAD on cartilage physiology was employed in an in vitro OA model induced via Interleukin 1 beta (IL-1 β). Phase contrast images, viability and metabolic activity analysis, Alcian blue, Safranin O, and Sirius red staining depicted adhesion, proliferation, and morphology maintenance of chondrocytes by ADAGMAD in IL-1 β condition, representing its cytocompatibility and protective properties. The ADAGMAD exhibited a notable protective effect against inflammatory stress in chondrocytes, as evidenced by gene expression analyses and ELISA assays. This indicates its potential utility as a non-invasive method with sustained drug delivery in the field of cartilage tissue engineering.