Controlled release of anticancer drug using o-phenylenediamine functionalized SBA-15 as a novel nanocarrier

Abstract

In this study, a pH-sensitive drug delivery system was presented by o-phenylenediamine functionalized SBA-15 as a new carrier for controlled release of imatinib mesylate. O-phenylenediamine functionalized SBA-15 mesoporous silica was synthesized and characterized. Powder X-ray diffraction proved the 2D hexagonal mesostructure with p6mm space group for nanoporous materials. The o-phenylenediamine functionalized SBA-15 showed the BET surface area 265 m2g−1 and pore diameter 5.8 nm, based on adsorption–desorption of N2 at 77 oK. The presence of organic groups in the silica framework was demonstrated by FTIR spectrum. Then, the imatinib mesylate was loaded on o-phenylenediamine functionalized SBA-15 in saturated drug aqueous solution at ambient temperature for 1 h. According to the observations on drug release in phosphate buffers, the imatinib mesylate release from o-phenylenediamine functionalized SBA-15 shows a pH-associated behavior, and the rate of imatinib mesylate release was quicker at lower pH than higher pH. In addition, the imatinib mesylate had a slow release pattern in SBF with a constant rate of approximately 1.4 µg h−1 after the first hour. The results illustrated that o-phenylenediamine functionalized SBA-15 is a suitable option for being employed as a new carrier for controlled release of imatinib mesylate.