Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles: A Promising Nanoplatform for Treating Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis

Joint diseases represent one of the most prevalent causes of human morbidity and dysfunction worldwide. Among them, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the main diseases that affect joint health. Traditional drug treatment methods, such as systemic administration or intra-articular injection, often fail to maintain a long-term effective drug concentration within the joint, resulting in reduced treatment efficacy and the potential side effects of increased dosage. Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) as a type of nanomaterial, due to their unique physical and chemical properties, such as tunable pore size, high surface area, and biocompatibility, have become a research hotspot in the field of drug delivery. Through modification with reactive groups, polymers, or proteins, MSNs loaded with high-dose therapeutic agents can be targeted for drug delivery and controlled release. In this review, the properties of MSNs and their application progress in the treatment of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are summarized.