Drug Database
HY

hyaluronic acid (Hyalart / HA, Fidia / Hyalgan)

✓ Approved

Shire · CD44

What is hyaluronic acid?

hyaluronic acid is a therapeutic agent developed by Shire. It is approved for therapeutic indications via injectable (others) or intraarticular injection or oral (po).

Drug Profile

Brand NamesHyalart, HA, Fidia, Hyalgan
CompanyShire
Molecular TargetCD44
RouteInjectable (Others), Intraarticular Injection, Oral (PO)
StatusApproved
Sources: ClinicalTrials.gov, Shire

Mechanism of Action

Molecular Targets

hyaluronic acid acts on 1 molecular target:

CD44CD44 molecule (IN blood group) (MIC4, ECMR-III)
Want deeper analysis?Noah AI can explain complex mechanisms and compare to similar drugs.

Therapeutic Indications

hyaluronic acid is developed for 1 unique indication across 1 therapeutic area.

Therapeutic AreaConditionPhase
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disordersOsteoarthritis✓ Approved

Related Research Articles

PubMedInternational journal of nanomedicine2026-09-20

Injectable Hyaluronic Acid-Functionalized Nanocomposite Hydrogel for Targeted Rheumatoid Arthritis Therapy via Concurrent ROS Attenuation and Macrophage Repolarization.

Fan Ziyan Z, Wang Runkong R, Zhang Qiang Q, Wu Mingquan M et al.

The clinical treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a chronic systematic autoimmune disease marked by persistent synovial inflammation and irreversible joint damage, remains substantially challenging due to the limitations of current therapies including insufficient targeting, short intra-articular retention and off-target adverse effects. Therefore, developing an injectable, long-acting and targeted therapeutic hydrogel platform is urgently needed for precise and efficient RA treatment. We developed an injectable long-acting nanocomposite hydrogel platform (HA-BR nano-GEL@CLT) which integrated hyaluronic acid (HA)-polyethylene glycol (PEG) co-polymeric matrix encapsulating HA-bilirubin nanoparticles (HA-BR NPs) and celastrol (CLT). The hydrogel was characterized and its in vitro biocompatibility, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and macrophage polarization effects were evaluated. In vivo therapeutic efficacy and biosafety were assessed in adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) rats. The average particle size of fabricated HA-BR NPs@CLT was 118.5 nm and the gel formulation underwent a rapid sol‑to‑gel phase transition within 200 seconds. HA-BR nano-GEL@CLT exhibited strong biomimetic lubrication, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capacities, and could effectively modulate the polarization of macrophages in vitro, with the result that the M1/M2 ratio in HA-BR nano-GEL@CLT group was only 0.19-fold that of model group. The hydrogel also provided long-term intra-articular retention up to 21 days in AIA rats. It significantly alleviated paw swelling, inhibited bone erosion, modulated the levels of inflammatory cytokines, whereas the expressions of IL-6 and TNF-α were reduced by 27% and 43%, and the expression of IL-10 was increased by 47%, compared to HA GEL@CLT group. Besides, HA-BR nano-GEL@CLT also alleviated oxidative damage, regulated macrophage polarization and reduced systemic toxicity of CLT in vivo. This injectable nanocomposite hydrogel platform offers an efficient and promising approach to suppress RA progression via ROS attenuation and macrophage repolarization.

PMID 42763682
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PubMedLipids in health and disease2026-09-20

Real-world use of bempedoic acid for hypercholesterolaemia: a German multicentre, retrospective, cohort study.

Haberbosch Linus L, Baessler Andrea A, de Ruiter Ulrike U, Sinning David D et al.

Dyslipidaemia remains a leading cause of death in Germany despite an improving therapeutic landscape, with many patients not achieving guideline-recommended low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) goals. Bempedoic acid, an adenosine triphosphate citrate lyase inhibitor, is a recent addition to the therapeutic landscape with proven efficacy in randomised controlled trials; however, its use varies between centres. We aimed to assess the short-term, real-world effectiveness of bempedoic acid in lowering LDL-C levels in patients in Germany. This retrospective, observational study was conducted using data from patients with primary hypercholesterolaemia or mixed dyslipidaemia, collected before and approximately 3 months after initiating bempedoic acid in 7 specialised lipid outpatient clinics in Germany. Data were analysed from a total of 641 patients, with a mean age (standard deviation [SD]) of 63.2 (11.3) years. The addition of bempedoic acid significantly reduced LDL-C levels from a mean of 133.6 mg/dL at baseline to 101.8 mg/dL after 3 months (p < 0.001). The mean within-patient LDL-C reduction was 31.8 mg/dL and the mean patient-level percentage change was -17.5%. Mean patient-level changes were -4.9% for HDL-C and -12.0% for total cholesterol; triglycerides did not change significantly. At 3 months, patients not receiving any lipid-lowering therapy (LLT) other than bempedoic acid had a mean patient-level LDL-C reduction of 27.1%; corresponding mean reductions were 23.7% with ezetimibe, 20.3% with PCSK9 inhibitor therapy, 9.0% with statin therapy and 6.1% with statin plus ezetimibe. Suspected adverse events were documented in 218/641 patients (34.0%), and 171/641 (26.7%) had discontinued bempedoic acid by follow-up. Myalgia was the most commonly reported adverse event in patients discontinuing treatment (75 cases). Findings from this real-world, multicentre study conducted in Germany show that bempedoic acid may present an effective treatment option for patients with hypercholesterolaemia who are already receiving LLT, in addition to being an effective option for patients not receiving/tolerating other LLTs. The magnitude of LDL-C reduction differed across background treatment strategies, while suspected adverse events and treatment discontinuation were common in this specialist-care cohort.

PMID 42763399
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PubMedOpen life sciences2026-09-20

Comparative analysis of vitamin C derivatives on ATP homeostasis across diverse cell types.

Goc Anna A, Sumera Waldemar W, Niedzwiecki Aleksandra A

Cellular energy homeostasis is tightly regulated by mitochondrial function and substrate availability. Vitamin C is a redox-active molecule with emerging roles in cellular metabolism; however, the metabolic impacts of structurally distinct vitamin C derivatives remain incompletely defined. In this study, we systematically compared l-ascorbic acid, dehydroascorbic acid, 6-O-palmitoyl-l-ascorbate, and mineral ascorbates (calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium salts) across multiple mammalian cell types. Cells were exposed to concentrations ranging from 60 to 500 µM, encompassing physiologically and pharmacologically relevant levels. The vitamin C derivatives induced cell type- and concentration-dependent modulation of intracellular ATP levels. Notably, HepG2 and renal epithelial cells exhibited robust ATP increases, whereas fibroblasts, myocytes, microglia, and skeletal muscle models displayed variable responses depending on the derivative and dose. Moreover, in skeletal muscle cells, co-treatment of standard l-ascorbic acid with select fatty acids did not yield additive bioenergetic effects, suggesting a localized, substrate-specific plateau or shared regulatory step in this specific cell model. Exposure to l-ascorbic acid induced selective increases in COX-1 without changes in SDH-A, consistent with rapid functional modulation of mitochondrial activity in myocytes and microglial cells only. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that vitamin C derivatives modulate cellular ATP levels within existing metabolic networks in a context-dependent manner, consistent with the modulation of mitochondrial-associated energy metabolism.

PMID 42763556
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PubMedVeterinary research2026-09-20

Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) relies on cellular lipid droplet biogenesis and lipolysis to provide energy for viral replication.

Xiong Xiaoran X, Liu Yi Y, Zhu Yaohong Y, Wang Jiufeng J et al.

Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), one of the most important viral pathogens in cattle, causes serious economic losses due to immunosuppression and persistent infections. Previous studies have shown a tight connection between virus infection and lipid metabolism, particularly in the formation and degradation of lipid droplets (LDs). However, the pathogenic mechanism of BVDV infection and the molecular mechanisms by which viral proteins reprogram lipid metabolism remain unclear. We found that BVDV increased cellular LD accumulation by enhancing the production of new lipids, accelerating exogenous fatty acid uptake, and elevating diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT)-dependent esterification of fatty acids (FAs). The generated LDs subsequently release free fatty acids (FFAs) via adipose triglyceride lipase/hormone-sensitive lipase (ATGL/HSL)-dependent lipolysis. This lipolysis-dependent release of FFAs is accelerated and transferred to mitochondria for oxidation by increasing contact between LDs and mitochondria, thereby promoting viral replication. Furthermore, BVDV core protein targets the surface of LDs, increasing and recruiting fatty acid synthase (FASN) and ATGL to promote LD mobilization. Meanwhile, the core protein interacts with mitochondria, linking mitochondria to LDs and facilitating the release of FAs for efficient fatty acid oxidation. Collectively, this study demonstrates that the BVDV core protein regulates cellular lipid metabolism to support BVDV replication, contributing to understanding the pathogenetic mechanisms by which BVDV interacts with host cells.

PMID 42763408
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PubMedCytotechnology2026-09-20

Antioxidant, genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of root extracts of Astragalus microcephalus: an assessment for alternative medicine.

Akbaba Giray Buğra GB, Öztürkkan Füreya Elif FE, Akdeniz Fikret F

The aim of this study is to evaluate the antioxidant, genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of root extracts of Astragalus microcephalus Willd. (A. microcephalus). Extracts were obtained using solvents such as ethanol, ethanol: n-hexane, n-hexane and methanol by Soxhlet extraction. The content of oil obtained from the n-hexane extracts of the plant was determined by Gas Chromatography with downstream Flame Ionization Detector (GC-FID) analysis. The antioxidant activity and total phenolic content of the extracts were determined by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and Folin-Ciocalteu Methods, respectively. Genotoxic and cytotoxic properties of extracts at 50 and 100 µg/mL concentrations were investigated by Micronucleus (MN) and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium-bromide (MTT) assay, respectively. The roots of the plant contain an average of 2.53% oil. It was found that the most abundant fatty acid in the roots of the plant was linoleic acid. In addition, the roots of the plant contain palmitic, linolenic, 13,16-docosaadienoic, oleic and stearic acid. Methanolic extracts have the highest antioxidant activity and the richest in total phenolic content. All extracts obtained were determined to be genotoxic at 50 and 100 µg/mL. Methanol, ethanol: n-hexane and ethanol extracts of roots of A. microcephalus exhibit very low antioxidant activity even at high concentrations. Furthermore, except for the plant's ethanolic extract, all other extracts exhibit cytotoxicity at concentrations as low as 50 and 100 µg/mL. According to the results of this study, it isn't recommended to use the roots of A. microcephalus Willd. in the treatment of various diseases, considering their genotoxic and cytotoxic effects.

PMID 42763479
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PubMedIn vitro models2026-09-20

A flow cytometry-based assay system for the in vitro screening of anti-steatotic compounds.

Deshmukh Kajal K, Malladi Navya N, Banerjee Sanjay K SK

The rising prevalence of MASLD and the absence of approved therapies highlight the need for reliable, quantifiable in vitro assays to screen compounds targeting hepatic lipid accumulation. Current methods are often semi-quantitative and lack sensitivity. This study aimed to develop and validate a flow cytometry-based assay using HepG2 cells to assess lipid accumulation, a key early marker of hepatic steatosis and toxicity. Steatosis was induced using varying concentrations of oleic acid (0-800 μM) for 12-48 h. Lipid accumulation was quantified using Nile Red staining and flow cytometry. The data were compared with two other conventional methods, the absorbance/fluorescence-based and the image-based systems. The developed assay system was tested against various clinically used drugs known to have anti-hepatosteatosis properties. Compared to the conventional methods, Oleic acid-induced fat accumulation, measured by flow cytometry in the hepatocyte-specific HepG2 cell line, was observed to be dose-dependent and time-dependent, with significant lipid accumulation at 400 μM oleic acid after 24 h. The assay was validated using known anti-steatotic drugs, where Saroglitazar, Pioglitazone, Empagliflozin, and Atorvastatin significantly reduced lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells. Further, the sensitivity of the assay was checked by calculating the IC₅₀ values, where Saroglitazar and Triacsin C showed IC₅₀ values of 0.16 μM and 0.15 μM, respectively. This study successfully developed a flow cytometry-based in vitro assay using HepG2 cells to screen drugs against MASLD. The present flow cytometry assay is a human cell-based and animal-free system that offers a sensitive, accurate, and high-throughput platform for evaluating anti-steatotic compounds, with clear advantages over conventional methods for early-stage drug discovery. The online version contains supplementary material available at https://doi.org/10.1007/s44164-026-00110-4.

PMID 42763509
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