Understanding Fenofibrate Release from Bare and Modified Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Pharmaceutical Sciences

Background:

• Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) are widely explored as drug delivery carriers.
• Controlling the physical state and molecular mobility of drugs within MSNs is crucial for optimizing release profiles.
• Surface functionalization offers a strategy to tune the properties of MSN-drug composites.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how surface functionalization of MSNs affects the physical state, molecular mobility, and release of Fenofibrate (FNB).
• To understand the relationship between drug-carrier interactions and drug release kinetics.
• To explore the potential of modified MSNs for enhanced drug delivery applications.

Main Methods:

• Preparation of MSNs with ordered cylindrical pores.
• Surface modification of MSNs using (3-aminopropyl) triethoxysilane (APTES) and trimethoxy(phenyl)silane (TMPS).
• Quantification of grafted functional groups using 1H-NMR.
• Characterization of FNB-MSN composites using FTIR, DSC, dielectric analysis, and DRS.

Main Results:

• MSN incorporation induced FNB amorphization, preventing recrystallization compared to neat FNB.
• Surface functionalization modulated the glass transition temperature (Tg) of FNB within MSNs.
• Dielectric studies revealed multiple FNB populations and relaxation processes correlated with drug release.

Conclusions:

• Surface functionalization of MSNs significantly alters the physical state and molecular dynamics of encapsulated FNB.
• The observed changes in molecular mobility directly correlate with FNB release profiles.
• Tailoring MSN surface chemistry provides a viable approach to control drug behavior and optimize delivery.