Chitosan-capped mesoporous silica nanoparticles as pH-responsive nanocarriers for controlled drug release

Herein, we present a straightforward synthesis of pH-responsive chitosan-capped mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs). These MCM-41-type MSNs could be used as nanocapsules to accommodate guest molecules. Subsequently, (3-glycidyloxypropyl)trimethoxysilane was grafted onto the surface of the MSNs, which served as a bridge to link between MSNs and chitosan, which is ubiquitous in nature and commercially available. Owing to the pH-responsive and biocompatible features of chitosan, the loading and release of an anti-cancer drug, doxorubicin hydrochloride, were carried out in vitro, in which the composite chitosan-capped MSNs (CS-MSNs) showed excellent environmental response. As the pH value of the media decreased, the degree of drug release correspondingly increased. Moreover, thanks to the perfect biocompatibility of chitosan, the CS-MSNs exhibited lower cytotoxicity than that of the naked MSNs in an MTT assay. In addition, the in vitro kill potency against MCF-7 breast-cancer cells was enhanced over time, as well as with increasing concentration of the drug-loaded CS-MSNs. These results indicate that CS-MSNs are promising candidates for pH-responsive drug delivery in cancer therapy.