Functionalized Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles as Potential Drug Delivery Vehicle against Colorectal Cancer

Abstract

This study explores the development of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) as an advanced platform for the targeted delivery of doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX), a widely used chemotherapeutic agent. Utilizing a modified sol-gel process, MSNs were synthesized and functionalized with amino (MSN-NH₂) and carboxyl (MSN-COOH) groups to enhance their physicochemical properties and drug delivery efficacy. Comprehensive characterization through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) confirmed the successful synthesis of spherical MSNs with a uniform internal structure and mesoporous nature. Zeta potential measurements highlighted the impact of surface functionalization on the surface charge of the nanoparticles, revealing positive and significantly negative charges for MSN-NH₂ and MSN-COOH respectively. This study further investigated the pH-responsive drug release profiles of DOX-loaded MSNs under physiological (pH 7.4) and tumor-mimicking acidic (pH 5.5) conditions. The results demonstrated a controlled release at pH 7.4, minimizing systemic toxicity, and a significantly enhanced release at pH 5.5, targeting the acidic tumor microenvironment for improved therapeutic efficacy. The findings underscore the potential of functionalized MSNs as a versatile nanocarrier system for cancer therapy, offering a promising strategy to increase the therapeutic index of DOX and reduce adverse effects. This work contributes valuable insights into the design and application of nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems, paving the way for future pre-clinical applications and advancements in targeted colorectal cancer treatments.