Preparation of Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles for Insulin Drug Delivery

Abstract

This study has focused on mesoporous silica nanoparticles as a drug delivery system of insulin, which was synthesized via a hydrothermal process. The morphology and composition of the silica nanoparticles were characterized by different analytical techniques such as Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), X-Ray Diffraction Analysis (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and BrunauerEmmettTeller (BET). The percentage of drug loading and the in vitro drug release properties of the mesoporous silica nanoparticles in gastrointestinal tract were investigated in simulated gastrointestinal conditions by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. The results showed the amorphous structure of SBA-15 in mesoporous silica particles has a narrow pore size distribution. Also, particles shape was nearly wheat-like with almost homogeneous size distribution. Furthermore, it was revealed that the mesoporous silica nanoparticles have a high insulin loading and release capacity. These prominent behaviors make mesoporous silica nanoparticles promising material as a drug carrier for insulin delivery.