Arthritis is a persistent inflammatory disease that needs long term treatment, although traditional NSAIDs like flurbiprofen usually show side effects being systemic and low drug penetration at the inflamed location. As a way of overcoming these shortcomings, the current study was set out to design and optimize an ionically gelated flurbiprofen loaded nanogel. The nanoparticles were developed through different polymer concentration, cross-linker concentration, the speed of stirring, time of stirring, and time of sonication after which they were incorporated in a thermosensitive pluronic F127 gel. The optimized nanoparticles had a particle size of less than 200 nm, and a narrow PDI, positive zeta potential, and high entrapment. In vitro release experiments revealed a biphasic release which was characterized by an initial burst and sustained release over 24 hours. The end nanogel formulation was found to have appropriate pH, spreadability, and stability at refrigerated and accelerated conditions. In general, the flurbiprofen nanogel is optimized to be the most effective local drug delivery system in treating arthritis and it has good therapeutic efficacy, with little systemic adverse effects.

Background: Arthritis, a collective term for debilitating joint disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA), continues to outpace therapeutic advancements, leaving millions with pain, disability, and limited options. Traditional treatments suffer from non-specific distribution, systemic side effects, and frequent dosing. In this landscape, nanogels—intelligent, stimuli-responsive drug carriers-are redefining the possibilities of precision medicine. By mimicking the body’s soft tissue environment and responding to pathological cues, nanogels hold the promise of delivering drugs exactly where and when they are needed. Methods: This review synthesizes findings across materials science, cellular biology, and pharmaceutical engineering. Recent innovations in nanogel synthesis (e.g., click chemistry, ionic gelation) and drug encapsulation strategies were analyzed alongside in vitro studies using chondrocytes, macrophages, and fibroblast-like synoviocytes. Evaluation metrics included cytotoxicity, cellular uptake, drug release kinetics, and inflammatory cytokine suppression. Key bottlenecks in regulatory translation and manufacturing were critically assessed. Results: Nanogels showcased high biocompatibility, targeted delivery to inflamed tissues, and controlled release triggered by pH, enzymes, or redox gradients within arthritic joints. In vitro, they significantly suppressed pro-inflammatory markers such as TNF-α and IL-6 while maintaining cellular viability. Yet, clinical translation is hindered by scale-up complexity, reproducibility challenges, and limited human data. Conclusion: Nanogels are not merely carriers-they are adaptive, bioinspired systems poised to revolutionize arthritis therapy. With smart design and strategic collaboration across disciplines, these nanostructures could move from lab bench to clinic, ushering in a new era of joint-specific, patient-personalized drug delivery.