Dual-drug nanocarriers for gout therapy: targeted co-delivery of anti-inflammatory and urate-lowering agents: a review

Authors

  • Nisha Rata Karusan Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia https://orcid.org/0009-0008-7098-4902
  • Hairul Anuar Tajuddin Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Centre for Fundamental and Frontier Sciences in Nanostructure Self-Assembly (FSSA), Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6513-2432
  • Nor Azlin Mat Radi Universiti Malaya Community Engagement Centre (UMCares), Universiti Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia https://orcid.org/0009-0008-1615-1950
  • Rumman Karimah Undergraduate Medical Study Program, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember, Surabaya, East Java 60111, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5214-2524
  • Pratiwi Soesilawati Department of Oral Biology, Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, East Java 60132, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1141-5645
  • Syed Mahmood Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Tel.: +603-79674008; E-mail: syedmahmood@um.edu.my https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9052-147X
  • Noraini Ahmad Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; E-mail: ainie@um.edu.my https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1174-4748

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17179/excli2025-8871

Keywords:

Gout, monosodium urate, nanocarrier, niosomes, anti-inflammatory, allopurinol

Abstract

Gout, a prevalent form of inflammatory arthritis, arises from the deposition of monosodium urate crystals in joints due to chronic hyperuricemia. Current pharmacologic monotherapies such as xanthine oxidase inhibitors, uricosurics, NSAIDs, corticosteroids, and colchicine are often limited by inadequate dual-action efficacy, suboptimal bioavailability, and systemic side effects. Emerging nanocarrier-based drug delivery systems offer a promising alternative by improving pharmacokinetics and enhancing targeted delivery to inflamed tissues. While co-encapsulation of multiple therapeutics remains underexplored in gout, advances in related inflammatory diseases support its future application. This review explores the limitations of conventional gout therapies and highlights recent advancements in nanocarrier technologies, including liposomes, niosomes, and ethosomes, for delivering both anti-inflammatory and urate-lowering agents. Special attention is given to functionalization strategies that allow for site-specific delivery and sequential drug release, particularly in the acidic and oxidative microenvironments characteristic of acute gout flares. Co-delivery of agents such as allopurinol or febuxostat with NSAIDs or corticosteroids may reduce pill burden, improve therapeutic synergy, and enhance patient adherence. While clinical translation remains in early stages, the mechanistic rationale and encouraging preclinical outcomes of responsive, functionalized nanocarriers underscore their potential to advance precision medicine in gout management.

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Published

2025-11-13

How to Cite

Karusan, N. R., Tajuddin, H. A., Mat Radi, N. A., Karimah, R., Soesilawati, P., Mahmood, S., & Ahmad, N. (2025). Dual-drug nanocarriers for gout therapy: targeted co-delivery of anti-inflammatory and urate-lowering agents: a review. EXCLI Journal, 24, 1555–1593. https://doi.org/10.17179/excli2025-8871

Issue

Vol. 24 (2025)

Section

Review articles

Categories

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Copyright (c) 2025 Nisha Rata Karusan, Hairul Anuar Tajuddin, Nor Azlin Mat Radi, Rumman Karimah, Pratiwi Soesilawati, Syed Mahmood, Noraini Ahmad

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