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A Comparative Loading and Release Study of Vancomycin from a Green Mesoporous Silica
Georgiana Dolete1,2, Bogdan Purcăreanu3, Dan Eduard Mihaiescu4
1Department of Science and Engineering of Oxide Materials and Nanomaterials, Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnologies, University POLITEHNICA of Bucharest, Gh. Polizu 1-7, 011061 Bucharest, Romania.
This study introduces a novel, eco-friendly synthesis of mesoporous silica using Tween-20 and starch as templates for drug delivery systems. The resulting material efficiently loaded and controlled the release of vancomycin, showing promise for improved oral bioavailability.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science and Nanotechnology
- Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Green Chemistry
Background:
- Mesoporous silica is an efficient drug delivery system (DDS) due to its porous structure.
- Conventional synthesis methods often involve environmentally harmful surfactants and solvents.
- There is a need for sustainable synthesis routes for mesoporous silica-based DDS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel, environmentally friendly synthesis of mesoporous silica using FDA-approved Tween-20 and starch as templates.
- To investigate the physicochemical properties of the synthesized mesoporous silica.
- To evaluate the potential of this novel material as a drug delivery system for vancomycin.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of mesoporous silica using Tween-20 and starch as templating agents.
- Characterization of the silica material using XRD, TEM, FT-IR, N2 adsorption/desorption, and DLS.
- Loading of vancomycin onto the mesoporous silica via physical mixing, solvent evaporation, and vacuum-assisted methods.
- In vitro drug release studies and kinetic analysis (Higuchi model, first-order model).
Main Results:
- Successful synthesis of mesoporous silica with a wormhole-like pore arrangement using the Tween-20/starch combination.
- Physicochemical characterization confirmed the material's structure and porosity.
- Vancomycin loading was confirmed, with a significant decrease in pore volume, particularly with the vacuum-assisted method.
- All loading methods resulted in a slower vancomycin release rate compared to the pure drug.
- The vacuum-assisted method demonstrated the slowest release (68.2% in 140 min), indicating deeper drug adsorption.
- Drug release kinetics followed the Higuchi model for physical mixing and vacuum-assisted methods, and the first-order model for solvent evaporation.
Conclusions:
- The Tween-20/starch templating method offers a sustainable and effective route for synthesizing mesoporous silica for drug delivery.
- The synthesized mesoporous silica demonstrates potential as a DDS, capable of controlled release of vancomycin.
- The vacuum-assisted loading method shows promise for achieving sustained drug release, potentially improving oral bioavailability.
