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Updated: Mar 24, 2026

Synthesis, Functionalization, and Characterization of Fusogenic Porous Silicon Nanoparticles for Oligonucleotide Delivery
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Functionalized Silica Nanoparticles As an Alternative Platform for Targeted Drug-Delivery of Water Insoluble Drugs

Luciane França de Oliveira1, Karim Bouchmella1, Kaliandra de Almeida Gonçalves2

  • 1Laboratório Nacional de Luz Síncrotron (LNLS) , CEP 13083-970, Caixa Postal 6192, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.

Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|March 2, 2016
PubMed

Insights

This study developed targeted nanoparticles for cancer therapy. Folate-functionalized silica nanoparticles selectively killed prostate cancer cells while sparing normal cells, reducing side effects.

Area of Science:

  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Nanotechnology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Chemotherapy's nonspecific action damages healthy cells, causing side effects.
  • Developing selective drug delivery systems is crucial for effective cancer therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To synthesize and characterize amino-functionalized silica nanoparticles loaded with curcumin.
  • To functionalize nanoparticles with folate for targeted drug delivery.
  • To evaluate the selective cytotoxicity of folate-functionalized nanoparticles on cancer cells.

Main Methods:

  • Sol-gel synthesis of amino-functionalized silica nanoparticles.
  • Curcumin loading into nanoparticles.
  • Covalent attachment of folate via amide bond formation.
  • Cytotoxicity assays on prostate cancer and normal prostate epithelial cells.

Main Results:

  • Successfully synthesized and characterized curcumin-loaded, amino-functionalized silica nanoparticles.
  • Folate conjugation was confirmed on the nanoparticle surface.
  • Folate-functionalized nanoparticles exhibited significant cytotoxicity against prostate cancer cells.
  • Normal prostate epithelial cells showed reduced sensitivity to the nanoparticles.

Conclusions:

  • Folate-functionalized silica nanoparticles serve as an effective carrier for hydrophobic anticancer drugs like curcumin.
  • This targeted delivery system demonstrates selective toxicity towards tumor cells, minimizing damage to healthy tissues.
  • The developed system holds promise for improving cancer therapy by enhancing efficacy and reducing side effects.

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