Synthesis of temperature/pH dual responsive mesoporous silica nanoparticles by surface modification and radical polymerization for anti cancer drug delivery
Abstract In this study, mesoporous silica nanoparticles were synthesized from rice husk (RMSN D) as a natural, available, economical, and non toxic source for cancer treatment. Also, to increase the drug delivery efficiency, after modifying the surface of nanoparticles by vinyl groups (RMSN DV) acrylic acid and n isopropyl acrylamide were polymerized on the RMSN DV surface by a well tuned monomer ratio to create a biocompatible smart dual responsive drug delivery system (RMSN DAN) The structure and physicochemical properties of the nanoparticles were characterized by XRD, FT IR, SEM, TEM, EDS, BET, HNMR, and EDS techniques. The results indicated that monomers were successfully grafted onto the RMSN D. Doxorubicin (Dox) was exploited as a model drug, and in vitro Dox release was investigated. The result exhibited an excellent temperature and pH responsive controlled release behavior. The biocompatibility and safety of natural silica source and RMSN DAN were demonstrated Via MTT assay. Dox loaded RMSN DAN demonstrated cytotoxic activity similar to free Dox to MCF 7 cell line. Moreover, apoptosis of the MCF 7 cell line was investigated by flow cytometric analysis and morphological study. Therefore, this dual responsive biocompatible and economic RMSN DAN nanocarrier could be applied in targeting and stimuli responsive drug delivery due to negligible drug leakage during blood circulation whilst having a rapid release upon reaching tumor tissues.