Mesoporous Silica Nanostructure Modified With Azo Gatekeepers for Colon Targeted Delivery of 5-Fluorouracil Publisher



Farjadian F¹ ; Moghadam M^{1, 2} ; Monfared M³ ; Mohammadisamani S^{1, 2} Show Affiliations
Source: AIChE Journal Published:2022

Abstract

In this study, amino-functionalized mesoporous silica (MS) particles were synthesized and loaded with the anticancer drug, 5-Fu. In a post-modification reaction, the pores were gated by an azobenzene derivative to act as an enzyme-responsive drug delivery system. The synthesis and characterization of the MS structure were validated using various instrumental techniques such as XRD, N2 adsorption/desorption, and FE-SEM and TEM. The loading efficiency and capacity of 5-Fu adsorption onto MS were evaluated; the adsorption isotherm graphs were plotted. The enzyme responsiveness feature of this nanocarrier was tested in the 5-Fu release study. The 5-Fu release from MS and the azo-capped compound was measured, and when sodium dithionite was used as a reducing agent and an azoreductase enzyme mimicker, the controlled release was observed. Finally, the cytotoxicity of 5-Fu loaded and azo-capped MS in normal medium and sodium dithionate-containing medium was evaluated and compared with the cytotoxicity of the free drug. © 2022 American Institute of Chemical Engineers.