Improved treatment efficacy of risedronate functionalized chitosan nanoparticles in osteoporosis: formulation development, in vivo, and molecular modelling studies

Delivery of bisphosphonates-like risedronate has been a major challenge till date due to its poor bioavailability and gastrointestinal tract adverse effects. In this study, we explored the prospective use of risedronate functionalised chitosan nanoparticle (RISCN) for management and treatment of osteoporosis. The prepared nanoparticle was characterised by using scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and dynamic light scattering technique. Osteoporosis was induced on quarantined female Wistar rats and treated with RISCN. Docking studies were performed to establish the molecular mechanism of RISCN in improving the bone microarchitecture. Results indicated that there was a significant improvement in bone mineral density and healing of trabecular microarchitecture with less cortical porosity on the bone surfaces of the treatment groups. Docking studies indicated a high affinity and binding of chitosan and RISCN towards the human farnesyl diphosphate synthase (FDPS). Thus, a novel risedronate-loaded chitosan nanoparticle revealed promising results in an effective bone bridging process and osteoporosis treatment.