Structurally reprogrammed modified citrus pectin (MCP) enables potentiated galectin-3 sequestration and injectable carboxymethyl chitosan/berberine hydrogel construction for osteoarthritis immunotherapy

, it suppressed oxidative stress, matrix degradation, and chondrocyte apoptosis while promoting macrophage polarization toward the M2 phenotype. In vivo, intra-articular administration alleviated synovial inflammation and preserved cartilage in a rat OA model. This work transformed MCP from a short-acting Gal-3 blocker into a durable, bioactivity-enhanced therapeutic platform with immunomodulatory and cartilage-protective capabilities, offering a transformative strategy for a localized pathology-adaptive OA intervention.