Pathophysiology and emerging therapeutic strategies for cervical spondylosis: The role of pro-inflammatory mediators, kinase inhibitors, and Organogel based drug delivery systems.

Cervical spondylosis is a prevalent ailment characterized by chronic wear and degenerative changes affecting the cervical spine, leading to various clinical syndromes such as axial neck pain, cervical myelopathy, and cervical radiculopathy. The pathophysiology of the development of cervical alterations is multifaceted, with alterations in the normal physiology and pathogenesis of intervertebral disc degeneration. The involvement of pro-inflammatory mediators, such as interleukin-1, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-4, interleukin-6, and interleukin-10, in the pathological processes associated with intervertebral disc degeneration offers potential therapeutic targets. The review also introduces kinase inhibitors as potential treatments for cervical spondylosis. Protein kinase inhibitors, including mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), Janus kinase (JAK), and spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK), are explored for their anti-inflammatory properties. The article discusses their potential in modulating inflammatory signaling cascades and presents them as attractive candidates for treating immune-mediated disorders. Inhibitors of Nuclear Factor-κB, p38 MAPK, Jun-N terminal kinase (JNK), and Extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) have shown efficacy in suppressing inflammatory responses, offering potential avenues for intervention in this prevalent condition. Organogels are semi-solid materials formed by trapping an organic solvent within a three-dimensional cross-linked network. They hold considerable potential in drug delivery, especially in enhancing drug solubility, facilitating controlled release, and improving skin penetration. These properties of organogels can help treat or alleviate the symptoms of cervical spondylosis.