In Vitro Anti-Inflammation and Chondrogenic Differentiation Effects of Inclusion Nanocomplexes of Hyaluronic Acid-Beta Cyclodextrin and Simvastatin

The aim of this study was to prepare inclusion nanocomplexes of hyaluronic acid-beta-cyclodextrin and simvastatin (HA-beta-CD/SIM) and evaluate in vitro anti-inflammation effects on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated synoviocytes and chondrogenic differentiation effects on rat adipose-derived stem cells (rADSCs). The beta-CD moieties in HA-beta-CD could incorporate SIM to form HA-beta-CD/SIM nanocomplexes with diameters of 297-350 nm. HA-beta-CD/SIM resulted in long-term release of SIM from the nanocomplexes for up to 63 days in a sustained manner. In vitro studies revealed that HA-beta-CD/SIM nanocomplexes were able to effectively and dose-dependently suppress the mRNA expression levels of pro-inflammatory markers such as matrix metallopeptidase-3 (MMP-3), MMP-13, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs-5 (ADAMTS-5), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) in LPS-stimulated synoviocytes. HA-beta-CD/SIM-treated rADSCs significantly and dose-dependently enhanced mRNA expressions of aggrecan, collagen type II (COL2A1), and collagen type X (COL10A1), implying that HA-beta-CD/SIM greatly induced the chondrogenic differentiation of rADSCs. Conclusively, HA-beta-CD/SIM nanocomplexes will be a promising therapeutic material to alleviate inflammation as well as promote chondrogenesis.