Combating Cartilage Damage: A New Way to Fight RA

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common condition that affects joints, causing persistent inflammation and cartilage damage. We often use drugs like triptolide (TP) to reduce inflammation, but these medicines can't fix damaged cartilage. Plus, constant inflammation makes traditional repair methods less effective. This study introduced a clever solution: a special scaffold that fights inflammation and helps cartilage grow back. This scaffold, called TP@GSPU, is made with triptolide-loaded polyurethane hydrogel and gelatin.It has a unique structure that helps the drug work better. This structure allows the drug to release slowly, which improves the joint's inflammation situation. Moreover, gelatin supports cartilage growth. Tests on rats with RA showed that this scaffold can indeed reduce inflammation and help repair cartilage damage. This innovation could revolutionize how we treat cartilage damage in RA patients.