Synthesis and biological response of casein-based silica nano-composite film for drug delivery system

• Core–shell casein based silica nono-composite film-forming material for ibuprofen carrier was successfully fabricated.
• The as-prepared films were found to be pH responsive.
• Silica content was proved to have positive effects on drug loading capacity and drug releasing behavior of the composite films.

Casein possesses many interesting properties that make it a good candidate for conventional and novel drug delivery systems. In this study, casein-based silica nano-composite was prepared via double in situ method, and the as-prepared latex particles were evaluated in terms of their morphology and size through transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The film morphology was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), and the mechanical property and response behavior of the films as a function of silica content were discussed. Ibuprofen was used as the model drug. The drug load and release properties were studied by solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (solid-state NMR), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), SEM and in vitro test. The composite latex particle showed a stable core–shell structure, and the film exhibited a regular surface with even SiO2 distribution. The drug load efficiency of the composite films increased with adding silica because of the adsorption of the drugs on the silica. In an acidic release medium, the ibuprofen-loaded composite showed a slower drug release dependent on the silica content. These behaviors were most likely due to the reduced diffusion rate of the drug through the composite microsphere, which resulted from the interaction between the silica and the drug.

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