Scientists from the Krestov Institute of Solution Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences in Ivanovo have developed a new form of medication for rheumatoid arthritis — a drug administered once a month with prolonged action. The research results have been published in the scientific database ScienceDirect.
Unlike traditional tablets and liquid injections, the new formulation acts gradually and controllably, releasing the active substance precisely, at a specified rate and volume. This was achieved through smart hydrogels based on pluronics — copolymers of polyethylene and polypropylene oxide. Under normal conditions, such gels are liquid, but upon entering the body and under the influence of body temperature, they form a gel structure. If an anti-rheumatic drug, leflunomide, is embedded into the gel and injected into a joint, the high viscosity of the gel will slow down the drug’s release significantly. Pluronics in solution self-assemble into nanosized micelles — supermolecular assemblies. These micelles encapsulate poorly water-soluble drugs, thereby increasing the drug’s solubility in aqueous solutions.
According to scientists, this approach allows for increased drug content in the injection, and combined with slow release, can reduce the frequency of procedures for patients to once a month. “The variability of the properties of the obtained gels enables the administration of an optimal dose of leflunomide and ensures its controlled entry into the body,” noted Mikhail Agafonov, Candidate of Sciences in Chemistry, a member of the research team.
Researchers worldwide analyze factors contributing to the development of rheumatoid arthritis. It is believed that the disease results from a combination of genetic predisposition and environmental factors, with genetics accounting for roughly 50–60% of the risk, and the rest is due to external causes that can be controlled. The measures proposed by Russian rheumatologists are discussed by Gxp News in this article.
