Hyaluronic acid enriched with sea sponge anti-inflammatory compounds as a therapeutic intervention for osteoarthritis: evaluation in in vitro experimental models

• Grant number: 22/04816-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: September 01, 2022
• End date: February 28, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Interdisciplinary Subjects
• Principal Investigator: Ana Claudia Muniz Renno
• Grantee: Homero Garcia Motta
• Host Institution: Instituto de Saúde e Sociedade (ISS). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus Baixada Santista. Santos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 19/10228-5 - Interdisciplinar net for the development of biotechnological products from marine origin for use in human health: pathological complication of the osteoarticular system, AP.TEM
• Associated scholarship(s): 23/14624-8 - Self-assembled peptide-based hydrogels associated with terpenes for ostearthritis treatment, BE.EP.MS

Abstract

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic degenerative disease prevalent in individuals over 60 years of age, and its incidence tends to increase as life expectancy grows in the national territory. The symptoms observed are promoted by an exaggerated inflammatory process, driven by the accumulation of M1 macrophages and overexpression of pro-inflammatory mediators. Viscosupplementation is a promising treatment for OA. This technique involves the application of hydrogels in the joint capsule in order to restore the natural characteristics of the synovial fluid (SL). In addition to this technique, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used to treat OA. Despite their efficiency, these drugs cause several adverse effects when administered for long periods. Given this, terpenes have been considered for the development of new anti-inflammatory agents. These secondary metabolites are synthesized by different groups of plants and animals, especially marine sponges. Evidence points to an abundance of terpenes and an anti-inflammatory effect for the genus Dysidea, widely found on the Brazilian coast. Given this context, the present proposal aims to develop, characterize and compare hyaluronic acid-based hydrogels enriched with terpenes extracted from the marine sponge Dysidea robusta. In addition, it intends to evaluate, through in vitro studies, the anti-inflammatory effects of the hydrogel. Therefore, the terpene compounds will be characterized by High-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. The hydrogel will be characterized by scanning microscopy (SEM), Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), in vitro degradation assay, pH evaluation, and rheological evaluation. After, in vitro tests will be performed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of the terpene-enriched hydrogel on macrophages. Genotoxicity, viability, and cell proliferation tests in chondrocyte cultures will also be performed. (AU)