Functionalized bimodal mesoporous silicas as carriers for controlled aspirin delivery

The bimodal mesoporous silica modified with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane was performed as the aspirin carrier. The samples’ structure, drug loading and release profiles were characterized with X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, N2 adsorption and desorption, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, TG analysis, elemental analysis and UV-spectrophotometer. For further exploring the effects of the bimodal mesopores on the drug delivery behavior, the unimodal mesoporous material MCM-41 was also modified as the aspirin carrier. Meantime, Korsmeyer–Peppas equation ft=ktn was employed to analyze the dissolution data in details. It is indicated that the bimodal mesopores are beneficial for unrestricted drug molecules diffusing and therefore lead to a higher loading and faster releasing than that of MCM-41. The results show that the aspirin delivery properties are influenced considerably by the mesoporous matrix, whereas the large pore of bimodal mesoporous silica is the key point for the improved controlled-release properties.

Loading (A) and release profiles (B) of aspirin in N-BMMs and N-MCM-41 indicated that BMMs have more drug loading capacity and faster release rate than that MCM-41.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► Bimodal mesoporous silicas (BMMs) and MCM-41 modified with amino group via post-treatment procedure.
► Loading and release profiles of aspirin in modified BMMs and MCM-41.
► Modified BMMs have more drug loading capacity and faster release rate than that modified MCM-41.