Review highlights nanotechnology-integrated acupuncture systems for targeted drug delivery in inflammatory diseases, suggesting enhanced therapeutic efficacy with reduced systemic toxicity.
This review discusses an emerging therapeutic strategy that integrates nanotechnology with drug-loaded acupuncture. By combining functional nanomaterials with the acupoint-regulating effects of acupuncture, this approach aims to achieve targeted drug delivery, improve efficacy, and reduce systemic toxicity. We first summarize the developmental background, technical principles, and major biological mechanisms of acupuncture, including regulation of the nervous, endocrine, and immune systems. We then review four representative strategies—screw-threaded needle, acupoint injection, microneedle (MN), and nano-coated needle—and highlight their applications in diseases such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Finally, we discuss current limitations and future directions, including smart-responsive materials and standardization of integrative therapies.
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Liu et al. (2026) studied this question.
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