One-Pot Synthesis of Ag/Quaternary Ammonium Salt Co-Decorated Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles for Synergistic Treatment of Cancer and Bacterial Infections

Abstract

Developing drug delivery nanosystems with both anticancer and antibacterial effects is of great clinical value. Herein, we report a facile approach to synthesize Ag and quaternary ammonium salt (QAS) co-decorated mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs), namely, Ag/QAS-MSNs, for synergistic treatment of cancer and bacterial infections. In vitro studies demonstrated that Ag/QAS-MSNs not only had a strong antibacterial activity against the bacterial pathogens but also could efficiently induce cancer cell death through an apoptotic pathway. Moreover, in vivo combination therapy with Ag and QAS in Ag/QAS-MSNs was also tested in a nude mouse tumor model, and a significant synergistic anticancer effect, which is superior to that obtained by therapy with Ag-MSNs or QAS-MSNs alone, was achieved. Such excellent anticancer and antibacterial activity of Ag/QAS-MSNs could be attributed to the synergistic effect of Ag ions and QAS. Thus, Ag/QAS-MSNs have a promising future as potent anticancer agents with high antibacterial performance.

Drug delivery systems for enhanced tumour treatment by eliminating intra-tumoral bacteria

“…For example, to enhance the efficacy of solo anti-tumour therapy, it was found that mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) co-modified with Ag and the quaternary ammonium salt (QAS) (Ag/QAS-MSNs) possessed an effective antimicrobial ability by adhering to negatively charged bacterial cell walls via electrostatic interactions and causing cell membrane damage. 69 Subsequently, the sustained release of Ag ions and the QAS from Ag/QAS-MSNs leads to the inhibition of bacterial growth via the apoptotic pathway and induction of tumour cell death in hepatocellular carcinoma (Fig. 2A).…”