Sol-gel synthesis of magnesium oxide nanoparticles and their evaluation as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of osteoarthritis.

Aim: We synthesized MgO NPs via sol-gel reaction and investigated them as carriers to deliver Mg²⁺ to the affected joint for osteoarthritis (OA).Materials & methods: The physicochemical properties of samples were characterized by transmission electron microscope (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS) and x-ray diffraction (XRD). The release of Mg²⁺ was monitored by ICP-MS. The potential cytotoxicity was evaluated using MTT assay. The efficacy and biosafety were evaluated in a rabbit OA model.Results: MgO NPs can prolong the Mg²⁺ release time from 0.5 h to 12 h. No significant cytotoxicity was observed when concentrations below 250 μg/ml. Intra-articular samples could effectively alleviate the degeneration and destruction of the cartilage.Conclusion: this study demonstrates the potential of MgO NPs as a safe and effective treatment of OA. Simultaneously, the size of the particles may play a significant role in influencing the therapeutic outcome.