Synthesis and characterization of mesoporous silica and its application as drug delivery system for glimepiride

The objective of this study was to synthesize the mesoporous silicate SBA-15 loaded with glimeperide, a slightly soluble antidiabetic, and to investigate the impact of drug loading on the release of glimepiride from this carrier. SBA-15 mesospheres were synthesized by addition of HCl to the trico-polymer (PEO20PPO70PEO20) until complete dissolution, then by addition of tetraethyl orthosilicate, stirring and drying until mesospheres powder was received. The mesopheres were characterized by thermal gravimetric analysis, powder X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transfer infrared analysis. The morphology was examined under a Scanning Electron Microscope. The surface area of the prepared mesospheres was determined by Brunauer-Emmett-Teller and the compression behavior of the powder was also studied. Then glimepiride was loaded on the mesospheres and percent loading as well as drug release was studied. Results showed successful preparation of the mesospheres with a glimepiride loading of was 40% with significant release improvement of glimepiride dissolution. A proportion of 70% glimepiride was released in the first 10 min compared to 5 % pure drug. It was concluded that the prepared mesospheres highly improve dissolution of glimeperide.