Incorporation of Lipophilic Drugs into Surface Modified Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles using Supercritical CO2

Jiachen Yan – research scientist, University of New South Wales; Dutong Liu – research assistant, University of New South Wales; Tushar Kumeria – Associate Professor, University of New South Wales

Introduction:

Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles (MSNs) have demonstrated excellent properties to enhance drug stability, oral bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy of both hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs [1]. Traditional methods of drug loading into MSNs may require many steps including dissolution, drying, milling/grinding and often utilise large amounts of organic solvents, with potential of toxic effects and environmental outcomes. Supercritical carbon dioxide (SCO₂) is a novel alternative to avoid these toxic solvents. We developed MSNs using SCO₂ processing, tested the loading of mometasone furoate (MF) and measured the in-vitro drug release from these MSN-MPN formulations.