This article focuses on the problem of the lack of effective disease-modifying therapies for osteoarthritis. By targeting Nav1.7 (a dual regulator of chondrocyte metabolism and pain), it investigates the potential of lacosamide as a disease-modifying candidate drug, systematically evaluates the therapeutic effects of lacosamide and two other sodium channel inhibitors, and develops a collagen II-based thermoresponsive hydrogel for sustained intra-articular drug delivery. It clarifies that lacosamide exerts anabolic-promoting and anti-catabolic effects by regulating HSP70 and midkine secretion, while also alleviating pain. The hydrogel delivery system can prolong drug retention in the joint and enhance treatment durability. The related study was published in the journal Bioactive Materials, providing new experimental evidence for disease-modifying therapy of osteoarthritis.

Material Development

Material

Thermosensitive hydrogel constructed based on collagen II, combined with relevant components to form a delivery carrier with temperature-sensitive properties;

Function

This hydrogel is in a flowable sol state at room temperature, making it convenient for intra-articular injection. Once inside the body, it can quickly transform into a gel state, achieving sustained release of lacosamide, prolonging the retention time of the drug within the joint, enhancing the durability of the drug’s action, and simultaneously possessing good biocompatibility, compatible with the intra-articular microenvironment.

Extension of Ideas

Delivery System Optimization: Further optimize the composition and structure of collagen II hydrogel to enhance its drug loading capacity and sustained-release performance, improve the compatibility of the carrier with the intra-articular microenvironment, and further increase drug delivery efficiency.

Investigation of Molecular Mechanisms: Conduct an in-depth study on the specific molecular mechanisms by which lacosamide regulates HSP70 and midkine secretion, clarify its interaction with the Nav1.7 target, and improve the theoretical basis of drug action.

Expansion of Model Applicability: Expand research on the applicability of this delivery system in different osteoarthritis models, verify the generality of its therapeutic effects, and provide more comprehensive experimental support for subsequent related research and applications.

Original Source

Journal Name: Bioactive Materials

Publication Date: 2026-02-26

DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2026.02.045; ④ Research Team: Chaopeng He, Guiwu Huang, Lida Moradi, Jingwei Bi, Xinyu Yang, Xin Liu, Xudong Cui, Arya Varthi, Daniel H. Wiznia, Stephen G. Waxman, Wenyu Fu, Chuan-Ju Liu.