title: Photoluminescent silicon nanocrystal-based multifunctional carrier for pH-regulated drug delivery.
abstract: A core-shell structured multifunctional carrier with nanocrystalline silicon (ncSi) as the core and a water-soluble block copolymer as the shell based on a poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA) inner shell and polyethylene glycol (MPEG) outer shell (ncSi-MPM) was synthesized for drug delivery. The morphology, composition, and properties of the resulting ncSi-MPM were determined by comprehensive multianalytical characterization, including (1)H NMR spectroscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, XPS spectroscopy, TEM, DLS, and fluorescence spectroscopy analyses. The size of the resulting ncSi-MPM nanocarriers ranged from 40 to 110 nm under a simulated physiological environment. The loading efficiency of model drug doxorubicin (DOX) was approximately 6.1-7.4 wt % for ncSi-MPM and the drug release was pH controlled. Cytotoxicity studies demonstrated that DOX-loaded ncSi-MPM showed high anticancer activity against Hela cells. Hemolysis percentages (<2%) of ncSi-MPM were within the scope of safe values. Fluorescent imaging studies showed that the nanocarriers could be used as a tracker at the cellular level. Integration of the above functional components may result in ncSi-MPM becoming a promising multifunctional carrier for drug delivery and biomedical applications.
authors: State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, §School of Basic Medical Science, ⊥School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University , Lanzhou 730000, China.
authors: Zhigang
authors: Z
authors: Xu
authors: Dongdong
authors: D
authors: Wang
authors: Min
authors: M
authors: Guan
authors: Xiaoyan
authors: X
authors: Liu
authors: Yanjie
authors: Y
authors: Yang
authors: Dongfeng
authors: D
authors: Wei
authors: Chunyan
authors: C
authors: Zhao
authors: Haixia
authors: H
authors: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry*; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods*; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D049449:Luminescence; D008422:Materials Testing; D008823:Micelles; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry; D011108:Polymers / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry; D011109:Polymethacrylic Acids / Q000737:chemistry; D012825:Silicon / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D004337:Drug Carriers; D008823:Micelles; D011108:Polymers; D011109:Polymethacrylic Acids; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D004317:Doxorubicin; D012825:Silicon