Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles: A Comprehensive Review on Synthesis and Recent Advances

Abstract

Recent advancements in drug delivery technologies utilizing a variety of carriers have resulted in a path-breaking revolution in the approach towards diagnosis and therapy alike in the current times. Need for materials with high thermal, chemical and mechanical properties have led to the development of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs). These ordered porous materials have garnered immense attention as drug carriers owing to their distinctive features over the others. They can be synthesized using a relatively simple process, thus making it cost effective. Moreover, by controlling the parameters during the synthesis; the morphology, pore size and volume and particle size can be transformed accordingly. Over the last few years, a rapid increase in research on MSNs as drug carriers for the treatment of various diseases has been observed indicating its potential benefits in drug delivery. Their widespread application for the loading of small molecules as well as macromolecules such as proteins, siRNA and so forth, has made it a versatile carrier. In the recent times, researchers have sorted to several modifications in the framework of MSNs to explore its potential in drug resistant chemotherapy, antimicrobial therapy. In this review, we have discussed the synthesis of these multitalented nanoparticles and the factors influencing the size and morphology of this wonder carrier. The second part of this review emphasizes on the applications and the advances made in the MSNs to broaden the spectrum of its use especially in the field of biomedicine. We have also touched upon the lacunae in the thorough understanding of its interaction with a biological system which poses a major hurdle in the passage of this carrier to the clinical level. In the final part of this review, we have discussed some of the major patents filed in the field of MSNs for therapeutic purpose.

Keywords: MCM-41; SBA-15; Stober’s synthesis; mesoporous silica nanoparticles; protocells; tetraethyl orthosilicate.

Figure 1

Representation of different types of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs).

Figure 2

Mechanism of formation of Mobil Crystalline Materials No.41 (MCM-41).

Figure 3

Illustration of versatility of MSN as a carrier in loading variety of drugs.

Figure 4

Schematic illustration of the release of drug from β-CD capped MSNs in response to stimuli.

Figure 5

Schematic illustration of the release of drug from gated MSNs in response to stimuli.

Figure 6

Representation of (A) Non-targeted protocell and (B) Targeted protocell.