Injectable Nano‐Micron AKBA Delivery Platform for Treatment of Tendinopathy in a Rat Model

ABSTRACT Tendinopathy is a disorder characterized by pain and reduced function due to a series of changes in injured or diseased tendons. Inflammation and collagen degeneration are key contributors to the onset and chronic nature of tendinopathy. Acetyl‐11‐keto‐β‐boswellic acid (AKBA) is an effective anti‐inflammatory agent widely used in chronic inflammatory disorders and holds potential for tendinopathy treatment; however, its therapeutic efficacy is limited by poor aqueous solubility. Here, we fabricated AKBA‐encapsulated cationic liposome‐gelatin methacrylamide (GelMA) microspheres (GM‐Lipo‐AKBA) using thin‐film hydration and microfluidic technology for drug delivery therapy. GM‐Lipo‐AKBA exhibited high encapsulation efficiency, extended AKBA release for over 4 weeks, and prolonged degradation. In vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated its effectiveness in improving inflammation and ECM remodeling in tendinopathy. In summary, the injectable nano‐micron drug delivery platform provides a promising strategy for the sustained and localized delivery of AKBA for tendinopathy treatment.