Effect of diclofenac sodium on the cartilage-regeneration potential of the chitosan-gelatin-chondroitin sulphate scaffold

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a joint disorder that results in decreased chondrocyte function, leading to degradation of the extracellular matrix. Tissue engineering, mainly using scaffolds as implants at the affected joints, has emerged as an effective way to treat OA. The chitosan gelatin chondroitin sulfate scaffold possesses a structure that mimics the cartilage extracellular matrix, enabling it to trigger chondrogenesis. This study aimed to determine the effect of adding diclofenac sodium to a gelatin-chitosan-chondroitin sulfate scaffold on cartilage regeneration. The study was performed by implanting chitosan-gelatin-chondroitin sulfate-diclofenac sodium scaffolds or chitosan-gelatin-chondroitin sulfate scaffolds in New Zealand White rabbits strain in which cartilage defects had been surgically created. Based on immunohistochemical analysis, cartilage regeneration was determined by observing chondrocytes by histological examination using hematoxylin and eosin staining and TNF-α detection. Visual examination showed that both the scaffold-treated groups had better healing than the control group, with the diclofenac-containing scaffold group showing the best healing. These results showed that there was a significantly higher number of chondrocytes (p<0.05) in the chitosan-gelatin-chondroitin sulfate-diclofenac sodium scaffold group, which indicated cartilage regeneration due to its anti-inflammatory activity by reducing TNF-α levels shown by the immunoreactive score. From this study, it can be concluded that adding diclofenac sodium to the gelatin-chitosan-chondroitin sulfate composite scaffold suppresses the inflammatory response, inhibiting cartilage degradation and aiding in the rapid healing of cartilage defects. This can be viewed as a therapeutic approach for OA in the future.