A Luteolin-Loaded Electrospun Fibrous Implantable Device for Potential Therapy of Gout Attacks

The recurrence of acute gout attacks remains an unsolved problem in clinical therapy. In order to tackle this problem, poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL)/gelatin composite fibrous devices loaded with luteolin are presented via electrospinning for the therapy of gout and its recurrence. The luteolin-loaded fibrous device has the capability of inhibiting metabolic activities and reducing inflammation-associated cytokine productions (TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-6) that are secreted by lipopolysaccharide stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. The device can also suppress the reaction activities of xanthine oxidase for 7 d in vitro. In vivo, acute gout model is established by injecting monosodium urate (MSU) crystals into New Zealand rabbits' knees, then the luteolin-loaded PCL/gelatin (5: 5) nanofiber device is implanted near the gout sites. The results show that the device can alleviate the acute gouty arthritis. In the mean time, the luteolin-loaded PCL fiber device with a longer drug release profile is implanted in a recurrent gout model, which is constructed by injecting MSU crystals into rabbits' knees three times. The results on day 21 reveal that this device has the potential to overcome the recurrence of gout. Therefore, the drug-loaded polymer fiber device can be an inspiration for potential gout therapy to overcome recurrent attacks.