OGP-loaded tannic acid–stabilized gold nanoparticles mitigates bone and muscle degeneration in osteosarcopenia

Osteosarcopenia, an age-related syndrome involving both bone and muscle loss, severely impairs mobility and quality of life. In this study, we constructed novel multifunctional nanomaterials, tannic acid–stabilized gold nanoparticles loaded with osteogenic growth peptide (Au@TA–OGP). The system integrates the polyphenol chemistry of tannic acid with peptide bioactivity to enable colloidally stable, biocompatible, and osteoinductive nanoparticles. Au@TA–OGP exhibited excellent cytocompatibility with macrophages and endothelial cells, while significantly enhancing osteogenic differentiation of osteoblastic cells. In an established osteosarcopenia mouse model, treatment with Au@TA–OGP restored bone microarchitecture, reduced osteoclast activity, and reduced muscle loss. Micro-CT and histological analyses revealed improved trabecular structure and reduced bone resorption and muscle histology showed enlarged myofibers with diminished fibrosis. No systemic toxicity was detected by serum biochemistry or major-organ histology. Together, these findings suggest that Au@TA–OGP provides a safe, multifunctional nanotherapy that promotes bone formation, inhibits resorption, and supports neuromuscular repair, offering translational potential for metabolic bone diseases with neuromuscular comorbidity.