Surface modified silica nanoparticles for synchronous magnetic resonance imaging and drug delivery applications

Abstract

This study reports a simple and versatile method of tailoring surface modified silica nanoparticles (SMS NPs) via co-condensation technique. The particles were loaded with gadolinium oxide and an anticancer drug, colchicine, utilizing the aqueous core of the reverse micelle as “nano” host reactors. The surface of the silica NPs was modified with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane. Surface modification entails higher content of the drug and allows it to get released in a sustained manner. The particles exhibit spherical morphology with an average diameter of 60 nm as measured by TEM. Gadolinium oxide is paramagnetic in nature as observed from the NMR line broadening effect on proton spectrum of the surrounding water. Preliminary in vitro experiments on MCF-7 reveal good potential of these SMS NPs for cancer therapy. It is expected that these highly versatile multifunctional silica NPs could potentially be employed for simultaneous non-invasive imaging and therapeutic purposes.