Researchers at BITS Pilani have developed a smart nanomedicine-based topical gel that demonstrated encouraging outcomes in preclinical studies for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. They plan to further validate the formulation through advanced preclinical safety studies, followed by clinical trials to evaluate its efficacy in human patients.
A chronic autoimmune disorder affecting many worldwide, rheumatoid arthritis causes persistent joint pain, swelling, stiffness and gradual joint damage. The condition often requires long-term medication, which can lead to systemic side effects.
Current treatment
According to the research team, rheumatoid arthritis is currently managed using anti-inflammatory drugs, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, and biological therapies. These treatments can effectively control inflammation and slow disease progression. However, long-term use is often associated with systemic side effects, as rheumatoid arthritis requires prolonged treatment. Therefore, there is increasing interest in exploring natural or plant-derived molecules and developing localised therapeutic approaches that can target inflamed joints more precisely while minimising systemic exposure, they said.
What the team did
To address the challenges, the team improved the delivery of a natural anti-inflammatory compound: 3-Acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid or AKBA - derived from Boswellia serrata. While AKBA has therapeutic potential, its poor solubility and low absorption limit its effectiveness. The research team went on to engineer novel hyaluronic acid-coated lipid-based nanoparticles to overcome major limitations and enable enhanced delivery to disease sites through topical application, a press release said.
How the research worked | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
The research, published in the Journal of Nanobiotechnology, was led by Sakshi Priya (DST-INSPIRE Senior Research Fellow) under the supervision of Gautam Singhvi, Department of Pharmacy, BITS Pilani, Pilani Campus. Certain experimental components of the study were carried out by Vagesh Verma under the guidance of Aniruddha Roy, Department of Pharmacy.
What the research found
According to Ms. Priya and Prof. Singhvi, laboratory and preclinical studies showed that the developed nanoparticle system demonstrated enhanced drug uptake at the targeted site and reduced joint inflammation and swelling. These findings suggest that the formulation can deliver the therapeutic agent more efficiently to inflamed tissues, resulting in improved anti-inflammatory effects in the experimental models.
One of the key advantages of this approach is the development of a nanoparticle-embedded gel that can be applied directly to the affected joints. This localised topical delivery has the potential to reduce dependence on oral medications and may help minimise systemic side effects, making the therapy more patient-friendly and convenient for long-term management.
Professor Singhvi noted that this targeted nanogel approach combines the benefits of natural therapeutics with precision drug delivery. With further clinical validation, it may offer a safer and more patient-compliant treatment strategy for rheumatoid arthritis.
What next?
Next, the team will take steps for further validation of the formulation through advanced preclinical safety studies, followed by clinical trials to evaluate its effectiveness in human patients. “In addition to the topical nanoparticle gel approach, our ongoing research is exploring advanced transdermal delivery systems, such as dissolving microneedles, which are efficient and targeted methods of drug delivery through the skin. These technologies can offer promising, patient-friendly strategies for managing rheumatoid arthritis,” they said.
A patent has already been filed for the developed formulation, and the team is actively seeking industry collaboration to support further development and clinical translation.
Published - March 16, 2026 01:10 pm IST
