Issue 4, 2020

A reversible, switchable pH-driven quaternary ammonium pillar[5]arene nanogate for mesoporous silica nanoparticles

Abstract

Here we describe the assembly and pH-driven operation of two nanocarriers based on non-functionalized (MCM-41) and carboxylate-functionalized (MCM-41-COOH) containers loaded with the anticancer drug doxorubicin (DOX) and capped by quaternary ammonium pillar[5]arene (P[5]A) nanogates. MCM-41 and MCM-41-COOH containers were synthesized and transmission and scanning electron microscopies showed nanoparticles with spherical morphology and dimensions of 85 ± 13 nm. The nanochannels of MCM-41 loaded with DOX were gated through the electrostatic interactions between P[5]A and the silanolate groups formed at the silica–water interface, yielding the MCM-41-DOX-P[5]A nanocarrier. The second nanocarrier was gated through the electrostatic interactions between the carboxylate groups mounted on the surface of MCM-41 and P[5]A, resulting in the MCM-41-COO-DOX-P[5]A nanocarrier. The DOX release profiles from both nanocarriers were investigated by UV-vis spectroscopy at different pH values (2.0, 5.5 and 7.4) and also in the presence of ions, such as citrate3− (19 mmol L−1) and Zn2+ (1.2 and 50 mmol L−1) at 37 °C. MCM-41-COO-DOX-P[5]A can be turned on and off eight times through the formation and breaking of electrostatic interactions. In vitro studies show that MCM-41-COO-DOX-P[5]A can penetrate and release DOX in the nucleus of human breast adenocarcinoma MCF-7 cancer cells leading to a pronounced cytotoxic effect. Therefore, the fabricated nanocarrier based on a water-soluble cationic pillar[5]arene nanogate, which is reversibly opened and closed by electrostatic interactions, can be considered as a promising drug transport and delivery technique for future cancer therapy.

Graphical abstract: A reversible, switchable pH-driven quaternary ammonium pillar[5]arene nanogate for mesoporous silica nanoparticles

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
10 May 2019
Accepted
06 Dec 2019
First published
09 Dec 2019

J. Mater. Chem. B, 2020,8, 703-714

A reversible, switchable pH-driven quaternary ammonium pillar[5]arene nanogate for mesoporous silica nanoparticles

E. C. S. Santos, T. C. dos Santos, T. S. Fernandes, F. L. Jorge, V. Nascimento, V. G. C. Madriaga, P. S. Cordeiro, N. R. Checca, N. M. Da Costa, L. F. R. Pinto and C. M. Ronconi, J. Mater. Chem. B, 2020, 8, 703 DOI: 10.1039/C9TB00946A

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements