The controlled release of drugs and bioactive compounds from mesoporous silica nanoparticles

In recent period of time the mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) have been extensively utilised in controlled release (CR) applications. This burgeoning research is favoured because of the unique characteristics of the MSNs such as, ordered and homogenous pore network, high surface area and pore volumes, silanol-containing surfaces, and relatively low toxic in nature. However, for an effective targeted drug delivery, these materials offer numerous challenges such as, to reduce the complications and toxicity and avoid any undesired interactions of the MSNs with the untargeted healthy cells and membranes. A range of concepts and techniques have been implied to overcome these challenges. This article presents an overview on the recent research advancements in CR of drugs and bioactive compounds from the MSNs. Based on the past researches that took place over the last 15 years, the article illustrates three particular areas: 1) unmodified MSNs, 2) modified MSNs, and 3) biocompatibility, bio-toxicity, tissue responses and cellular uptakes of the MSNs. The three encompassed areas of research describe enormous diversities and complexities which span the aspects of complex designs and syntheses, types of silica materials being used, drug loadings, types of drug used, and ranges of biological evaluations of the MSNs. Perspectives and insights are presented into a range of aspects such as, syntheses, characterisations, functionalisation and incorporations of biomacromolecules into the MSNs; drug loadings and drug release kinetics; biological evaluations such as, biocompatibility, bio-toxicity and intracellular drug delivery; and, the effects of size, shape, morphology, structural and textural properties of the MSNs.