Comparison of amine-functionalized mesoporous silica particles for ibuprofen delivery

We have prepared three different types of amine-functionalized silica particles: i) mesoporous silica (MESO1); ii) nonporous core-mesoporous shell silica (MESO2); iii) SBA-15 particles. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and nitrogen sorption experiment were used to study the morphology of the synthesized particles. To investigate the drug loading and subsequent release of the particles, ibuprofen was used as a model drug for oral delivery. Loading capacity of the particles in this work was found to be higher than that in the previous studies, and followed the order of MESO1>MESO2>SBA-15 particles. Release experiments showed the similar release rate for MESO1 and MESO2 particles from which only <40% of ibuprofen was released after 5 h. From SBA-15 particles, however, more than 80% of ibuprofen was released in 5 h at pH 4 and 7.4. Ibuprofen release from SBA-15 was slowest at pH 2 (~pH of stomach body) and fastest at pH 7.4 (~pH of proximal intestine). Difference in release rates was ascribed to the different morphology and pore structure of the carrier particles.