Design and Optimization of Thymoquinone-Loaded Nanosponges for Rheumatoid Arthritis Therapy

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disorder that leads to joint inflammation, pain, and deformities. Current treatments, including NSAIDs and DMARDs, offer symptom relief but do not address the disease's root causes and come with side effects. Thymoquinone (TQ), a compound derived from Nigella sativa, has shown potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties but suffers from low solubility and bioavailability. To enhance the therapeutic efficacy of TQ, we developed thymoquinone-loaded nanosponges (TQNS) as a drug delivery system. TQ-NS were characterized for particle size, zeta potential, drug loading, and release profiles. In vitro studies demonstrated that TQ-NS significantly enhanced drug solubility and provided sustained release. Cytotoxicity tests revealed that the formulations were biocompatible, with high cell viability. Antiinflammatory assays showed a significant reduction in TNF-α and IL-6 levels, and in vivo studies in collagen-induced arthritis rats demonstrated reduced joint swelling and inflammation. The statistical analysis confirmed the effectiveness of TQ-NS in RA therapy. TQ-NS offer a promising approach for improving the bioavailability, targeting, and therapeutic efficacy of thymoquinone in the treatment of RA. Further studies are warranted to evaluate their potential in clinical settings.