ISTANBUL

A team of Chinese scientists has developed an advanced lubricating material that could slow the progression of osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis, in its early stages, local media reported on Monday.

Osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease that commonly affects the knees, hips, spine, and hands, causes pain, swelling, and stiffness due to the breakdown of cartilage, the tissue that covers the ends of bones in a joint.

The new material, developed by researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Xiangya Hospital, uses hydrogel microspheres, which target damaged cartilage, to provide lubrication and protection, the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported.

In tests on rats with early-stage osteoarthritis, the material significantly reduced symptoms and slowed disease progression, showing promise as a treatment option, according to a study published in the international scientific journal Advanced Materials on Aug. 18.

This discovery could offer a new approach to managing osteoarthritis, a condition affecting over 528 million people globally, according to the World Health Organization.