This invention concerns a biomimetic material based on energy-rich amorphous magnesium polyphosphate (Mg-polyP) microparticles that enhance cartilage synthesis and regeneration. One preferred formulation of the inventive material is a hyaluronic acid-Mg/Ca-polyP paste that can be produced from a water-soluble salt of polyP and water-soluble hyaluronic acid in the presence of water-insoluble/nearly insoluble calcium carbonate. Surprisingly, the inventor found that this cartilage-like material comprising amorphous Mg/Ca-polyP microparticles promotes the adhesion of chondrocytes and strongly upregulates the expression of the chondrocyte marker genes encoding alkaline phosphatase, collagen type 3A1, aggrecan and Sox9. The material through scavenging calcium ions (Mg2+/Ca2+ exchange) and binding of the calcium-polyP to hyaluronic acid shows biomechanical properties, comparable to cartilage and thus can be used for prevention of calcium crystal formation in the synovial fluid and treatment of joint dysfunctions caused by osteoarthritis.
