Plant-based hyaluronic acid for Osteoarthritis (OA)

Knee osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that impairs quality of life. The burden and impact of Osteoarthritis (OA) in India are substantial and is increasing. Viscosupplementation (VS) with intra-articular hyaluronic acid (IA-HA) is a well-established treatment option in knee Osteoarthritis (OA). Hyaluronic acid (HA) injections are used to restore synovial fluid viscosity and improve joint function. Hyaluronic acid is a polysaccharide with various biological functions, widely used in medicine, cosmetics, and supplements. Hyaluronic acid (HA) injections, or viscosupplementation, inject gel-like fluid into joints to treat pain, stiffness, and improve mobility for mild-to-moderate osteoarthritis, primarily in the knee. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is also found as a component of synovial fluid, where it is the main regulator of fluid viscoelasticity and provides lubrication to the joint. Plant-based hyaluronic acid is categorized into three types: Food Grade, Cosmetic Grade, and Medical Grade. A specific high-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid derived from plant, known as GreenIuronic®, has been researched for its ability to cross the intestinal barrier, modulate molecular mechanisms to prevent and restore cartilage degradation in osteoarthritis (OA) models. Plant-derived HA (like GreenIuronic) helps by reducing joint inflammation, protecting and regenerating cartilage. and retaining moisture to lubricate joints. Transgenic Nicotiana tabacum hairy roots, engineered with the human hyaluronan synthase 2 gene, produced high concentrations of hyaluronic acid (HA), verified via SEM and ELISA. Additionally, hyaluronic acid can be found in some mollusks, yeasts, bacteria, and algal viruses. However, to date, hyaluronic acid has not been identified in fungi, plants, or insects.