Selenium – containing mesoporous bioactive glass particles: Physicochemical and drug delivery properties

Selenium (Se) incorporated mesoporous bioactive glasses (MBG) have been prepared using the traditional sol–gel method. The Se/MBG particles retain typical characteristics of mesoporous structures (SBET=230–250 m2/g and DP=4.0–4.1 nm) and excellent hydroxyapatite formation ability when soaked in simulated body fluids for 3 days. To investigate their delivery properties further, doxorubicin (DOX) was selected as a model drug. The results indicate that the Se/MBG particles exhibit sustained DOX delivery, and controlled release mechanism by Fickian diffusion according the Higuchi model. Based on a favorable in vitro bioactive response and controllable DOX delivery, this material is a promising candidate for application in malignant bone tumor therapy.