# Single-administration microneedles with controlled sustained release of non-opioid analgesics to treat osteoarthritis pain

> **NIH NIH R21** · UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT STORRS · 2023 · $83,100

## Abstract

Abstract
Millions of Americans suffer from arthritis (e.g., osteoarthritis or OA), a disease associated with inflammation that
causes pain and disability, especially in senior population. Current treatments that focus on alleviating
pain/inflammation in joints include steroids, non-steroid or non-opioids anti-inflammation drugs, and intra-
articular injection. However, these drugs have limitations and many side effects such as causing stomach
bleeding/ ulcers when taken orally. In the parent grant, we proposed an approach to use non-opioid analgesic
drugs with controlled sustain release obtained from microneedle technique for the treatment of OA pain and
inflammation. In this study, we would like to investigate another approach to manage OA pain through intra-
articular injection of a novel ionic liquid hydrogel. Hyaluronic acid (HA) intra-articular injection is commonly used
to clinically treat joint pain due to its unique ability to suppress anti-inflammation and chondroprotection.
Furthermore, when HA synergizes with other pain-relief drugs (e.g., Dexamethasone or DEX), the new
combination has a greater pain relief efficacy than HA alone.
Recently ionic liquid and deep eutectic solvents have gained a great attention because of their high stability and
effectiveness for higher drug loading capacity. The liquid also improves drug tissue penetration and can act as
drugs themselves (e.g. lidocaine). Our hypothesis is that hyaluronic acid grafted ionic liquid/ deep eutectic
solvents (e.g., Decanoic Acid-Lidocaine) would increase therapeutic effect to treat OA pain and inflammation
while preventing join degeneration both in vitro and in vivo. In this supplementary grant, we would have our
under-represented graduate student, Tra Vinikoor, research and improve OA therapy by using a HA-grafted ionic
liquid or deep eutectic solvent with dual functions of preventing joint degeneration and reducing inflammation.
The graduate student will perform the study under the support and supervision of the PI (Dr. Thanh Nguyen) and
the co-mentor (Dr. Cato Laurencin). This study will be very important to the student to continue her work on
injectable hydrogels for cartilage regeneration/OA treatment and lay a strong foundation for her to achieve her
long-term career goals in academia.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10721752
- **Project number:** 3R21AR080919-02S1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT STORRS
- **Principal Investigator:** Thanh Nguyen
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $83,100
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2022-05-05 → 2025-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10721752

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10721752, Single-administration microneedles with controlled sustained release of non-opioid analgesics to treat osteoarthritis pain (3R21AR080919-02S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10721752. Licensed CC0.

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