Abstract

Jay Upadhyay*, Priyanka Yadav, Dr. Divyakant Patel, Amar Raval, Jaini Patel

ABSTRACT

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, progressive autoimmune disorder characterized by persistent inflammation of synovial joints, leading to pain, swelling, and eventual joint deformity. Conventional systemic administration of anti-rheumatic drugs often results in suboptimal therapeutic efficacy due to rapid clearance, poor site-specificity, and systemic side effects. In-situ depot-based controlled drug delivery systems have emerged as a promising approach to overcome these limitations by providing localized, sustained, and controlled release of therapeutic agents directly at the site of inflammation. These systems, typically formulated as thermosensitive gels, injectable microspheres, or polymeric depots, undergo sol–gel transitions or form depots upon administration, allowing for prolonged drug residence time and reduced dosing frequency. Such delivery platforms can encapsulate disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), corticosteroids, or biologics, enhancing their pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles. This strategy minimizes systemic toxicity, improves patient compliance, and ensures sustained therapeutic concentrations within the joint microenvironment. The present review highlights the design principles, formulation strategies, and recent advancements in in-situ depot-based controlled drug delivery systems for the effective management of rheumatoid arthritis, emphasizing their potential to revolutionize RA therapy through localized and sustained drug action.