Hyaluronic acid–gold nano-optical probes and determination of their effect on the inhibition of osteoarthritis progression

Abstract

Osteoarthritis seriously affects the health of elderly individuals. In this study, hyaluronic acid–gold nano-optical probes (HA–GNPs) were prepared, and their effect on osteoarthritis and its underlying mechanism were explored. The HA–GNPs were synthesised via a one-step synthesis method and characterised and detected via ultraviolet–visible spectrophotometry, dynamic light scattering (particle size analysis), zeta potential analysis, and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The cytotoxicity of the probes was determined using CCK-8 detection, fluorescent staining of dead and living cells, and an in vivo animal model, and related staining methods were established to identify the potential therapeutic capabilities of the probes. Our study showed that the synthesised HA–GNPs were more stable and suitable for probe construction than traditional sodium citrate–gold nanoparticles. The HA–GNPs were also found to be biocompatible and suitable for in vitro and in vivo experiments and clinical applications. These findings showed that HA–GNPs exert a substantial inhibitory effect on osteoarticular chondrocytes and offer a promising method for improving healing from osteoarthritis in the clinical setting in the future.