Preparation of Ca-Mg double-doped mesoporous silica nanoparticles and their drug-loading and drug-releasing properties

Abstract

Objective: To prepare Doxorubicin-loaded Ca-Mg double-doped mesoporous silica nanoparticles (Ca-Mg@SiO2@DOX) and examine their properties. Methods: Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) and Ca-Mg@SiO2 nanoparticles were prepared by hydrothermal method and evaluated for particle size, zeta potential, morphology, and elemental distribution. SiO2@DOX nanoparticles and Ca-Mg@SiO2@DOX nanoparticles were prepared by electrostatic adsorption to investigate their properties, such as particle size, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency, drug loading, stability, release degree, biosafety, and in vitro antitumor property. Results: MSNs and SiO2@DOX nanoparticles were successfully prepared with a particle size of about 200-300 nm and negatively charged; the MSNs and SiO2@DOX nanoparticles were regular spherical, and the Ca and Mg doped nanoparticles showed irregular spherical shape, and mapping measured the Ca and Mg elements contains were 2.92% and 1.19% respectively. SiO2@DOX nanoparticles and Ca-Mg@SiO2@DOX nanoparticles were successfully prepared with a particle size of about 300-400 nm, also negatively charged, encapsulation efficiency of about 90%, and a drug loading efficiency of 10%, with a slower release compared to DOX of solution. The release of Ca-Mg@SiO2@DOX nanoparticles was faster in an acid condition. All samples’ hemolysis efficiency was less than 5%. Cellular toxicity showed that SiO2@DOX nanoparticles and Ca-Mg@SiO2@DOX nanoparticles are toxic to lower than free DOX. Living and dead cell staining experiments showed similar situations. Cell uptake showed that cell uptake is higher compared with free DOX Ca-Mg@SiO2@DOX nanoparticles. Conclusion: We successfully prepared Ca-Mg@SiO2@DOX nanoparticles, which have a suitable particle size, zeta potential, and stability, which are released faster in acid conditions, which can reduce the toxicity of DOX, boost cell uptake, and have good antitumor properties.