title: Chitosan-capped mesoporous silica nanoparticles as pH-responsive nanocarriers for controlled drug release.
abstract: Herein, we present a straightforward synthesis of pH-responsive chitosan-capped mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs). These MCM-41-type MSNs could be used as nanocapsules to accommodate guest molecules. Subsequently, (3-glycidyloxypropyl)trimethoxysilane was grafted onto the surface of the MSNs, which served as a bridge to link between MSNs and chitosan, which is ubiquitous in nature and commercially available. Owing to the pH-responsive and biocompatible features of chitosan, the loading and release of an anti-cancer drug, doxorubicin hydrochloride, were carried out in vitro, in which the composite chitosan-capped MSNs (CS-MSNs) showed excellent environmental response. As the pH value of the media decreased, the degree of drug release correspondingly increased. Moreover, thanks to the perfect biocompatibility of chitosan, the CS-MSNs exhibited lower cytotoxicity than that of the naked MSNs in an MTT assay. In addition, the in vitro kill potency against MCF-7 breast-cancer cells was enhanced over time, as well as with increasing concentration of the drug-loaded CS-MSNs. These results indicate that CS-MSNs are promising candidates for pH-responsive drug delivery in cancer therapy.
authors.affiliation: Scholl of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Qinzhou University, Qinzhou 535000 (People's Republic of China). klarke620@126.com.
authors.forename: Xiaoxi
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Yun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Bo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Peng
mesh_terms: D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D048271:Chitosan / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000494:pharmacology; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D004354:Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D061986:MCF-7 Cells; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry*; D010316:Particle Size; D016062:Porosity; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D013499:Surface Properties; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
chemical_list: D004337:Drug Carriers; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D004317:Doxorubicin; D048271:Chitosan
keywords: chitosan; drug delivery; mesoporous materials; nanoparticles; silica