Silicon-containing nanocarriers for targeted drug delivery: synthesis, physicochemical properties and acute toxicity

Abstract

Silicon-containing nanoparticles (NPs) are considered promising drug carriers for targeted drug delivery. In this study, we investigated the physical and chemical properties of siliconcontaining NPs, including silica and organomodified silica NPs (SiO 2 NPs and OrSiO 2 NPs, respectively), with different surface modifications, with the aim of increasing drug-loading efficiency. In addition, we described the original synthesis methods of different sizes of OrSiO 2 NPs, as well as new hybrid OrSiO 2 NPs with a silica core (SiO 2 + OrSiO 2 NPs). Animal experiments revealed that the silicon-containing NPs investigated were non-toxic, as evidenced by a lack of hemodynamic response after intravenous administration. Bioelimination studies showed rapid renal excretion of OrSiO 2 NPs. In drug release kinetics studies, adenosine was immobilized on SiO 2 NPs using three different approaches: physical adsorption, ionic, and covalent bonding. We observed that the rate of adenosine desorption critically depended on the type of immobilization; therefore, adenosine release kinetics can be adjusted by SiO 2 NP surface modification technique. Adsorption of adenosine on SiO 2 + OrSiO 2 NPs resulted in a significant attenuation of adenosine-induced hypotension and bradycardia.

Magnetite and silica-coated magnetite nanoparticles are highly biocompatible on endothelial cells in vitro

“…The biological consequences of SiO 2 are currently debated, and its role is still controversial. Many studies report that SiO 2 NP induce ROS generation in various non-cancerous and cancerous cell lines, and in platelets, by interfering with Ca homeostasis and surface characteristics [29,[48][49][50]. However, recent observations indicate that the SiO 2 coating may reduce cytotoxicity and oxidative stress in A549 and HeLa cells models, in comparison with bare ferromagnetic NPs, because of the sheltering effect on iron release [28].…”

Biological Safety and Biodistribution of Chitosan Nanoparticles

“…This study was performed according to the methods described previously [37]. A suspension of nanoparticles in saline at a chitosan concentration of 0.05% was administered intravenously to anesthetized rats through a catheter inserted into the femoral vein.…”

A facile synthesis method and spectral characterization of silicon dioxide and magnetite nanoparticles

“…3, showed that the characteristic frequencies at 470 cm -1 , and 797 cm -1 are related to stretching vibrations of Si-O-Si [24], the band appeared at 1101cm -1 Si-O-Si asymmetric fluctuation [25,26]. The absorption band at 2000 cm -1 corresponds to the silica matrix skeletal vibration [27]. Fig.…”