Preparation of multicompartment silica-gelatin nanoparticles with self-decomposability as drug containers for cancer therapy in vitro

Abstract

We demonstrate multicompartment silica-gelatin nanoparticles (MSGNs), using gelatin doped CaCO₃ particles as templates, with self-decomposability in response to body temperature as drug carriers for cancer therapy in vitro. The use of CaCO₃ particles provides facile size control of MSGNs in nanoscale without using surfactants. Gelatin involved in the hybrid particles will cover the surface of particles, reducing the toxicity of silica materials caused by Si–OH groups, and moreover plays the role of the cement in the construction to hold the multicompartment structure. Above the gelation temperature, gelatin molecules can escape from particles resulting in the self-decomposition of MSGNs under body conditions. The obtained MSGNs have the potential to be used as an efficient carrier in cancer therapy.