2025, Vol. 29 ›› Issue (34): 7376-7384

Development of novel antioxidants and antioxidant combination carried by nano-hydrogel systems in treatment of intervertebral disc degeneration

Su Yongkun1, Sun Hong2, Liu Miao2, Yang Hua2, Li Qingsong1, 3   

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Antioxidants can alleviate cellular damage and matrix degradation caused by oxidative stress, protect the structure and function of intervertebral discs, and thus delay the occurrence and development of intervertebral disc degeneration.
OBJECTIVE: To review the research status of antioxidants in the treatment of intervertebral disc degeneration.
METHODS: The first author searched the articles included in CNKI and PubMed databases. The literature search time was from inception to June 2024. Chinese search terms were “intervertebral disc degeneration, antioxidants, oxidative stress, signaling pathways.” English search terms were “antioxidants, oxidative stresses, oxidative DNA damage, intervertebral disc degenerations, degenerative disc disease*, disc degeneration*, signal pathway.” Finally, 92 articles that met the criteria were selected for review.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Antioxidants have multiple roles in the treatment of intervertebral disc degeneration, including reducing oxidative stress, inhibiting inflammatory responses, promoting autophagy, inhibiting apoptosis, and protecting the extracellular matrix. Through the combined effect of multiple pathways, antioxidants are expected to become an important means in the treatment of intervertebral disc degeneration. (2) The nano-hydrogel system can quickly and stably target the delivery of antioxidants to the inside of the intervertebral disc and improve the bioavailability of antioxidants. Therefore, the development of new antioxidants and antioxidant combination treatment strategies carried by nano-hydrogel systems will be the focus of future research.

Key words: intervertebral disc degeneration, oxidative stress, antioxidant, inflammation, apoptosis, review, engineered materials