Mesoporous silica sieves are among the most studied nano-objects due to their stable pore structure and easy preparation. In particular, MCM-41 have attracted increasing research attention due to their chemical versatility. This review focuses on the synthesis and regioselective functionalization of MCM-41 to prepare catalytic systems. The topics covered are: mono and di-functionalized MCM-41 as basic and acid catalysts, catalysts based on metallic complexes and heteropolyacids supported onto MCM-41, metallic nanoparticles embed onto functionalized MCM-41 and magnetic MCM-41 for catalytic purposes.
Combination therapies rely on the administration of more than one drug, with independent mechanisms of action, aiming to enhance the efficiency of the treatment. For an optimal performance, the implementation of such therapies requires the delivery of the correct combination of drugs to a specific cellular target. In this context, the use of nanoparticles (NP) as platforms for the co-delivery of multiple drugs is considered a highly promising strategy. In particular, mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) have emerged as versatile building blocks to devise complex drug delivery systems (DDS). This review describes the design, synthesis, and application of MSNs to the delivery of multiple drugs including nucleic acids for combination therapies.
A pH-responsive drug delivery system (DDS) based on mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) has been prepared for the delivery of three anticancer drugs with different modes of action. The novelty of this system is its ability to combine synergistic chemotherapy and photodynamic therapy. A photoactive conjugate of a phthalocyanine (Pc) and a topoisomerase I inhibitor (topo-I), namely camptothecin (CPT), linked by a poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) chain has been synthesized and then loaded into the mesopores of MSNs. Doxorubicin (DOX), which is a topoisomerase II inhibitor (topo-II), has also been covalently anchored to the outer surface of the MSNs through a dihydrazide PEG linker. In the acidic environment of tumor cells, selective release of the three drugs takes place. In vitro studies have demonstrated the endocytosis of the system into HeLa and HepG2 cells, and the subsequent release of the three drugs into the cytoplasm and nucleus. Furthermore, the cytotoxic effect of DOX, CPT and Pc has been assessed in vitro before and upon light irradiation.
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