Sustained release of prednisone and mesalamine from diatom exoskeletons : bioinspiration for the development of safe oral drug delivery devices to tackle gastrointestinal diseases

摘要

Mesoporous silicon and silica-based particles have recently been synthesized and proposed forthe controlled delivery of several drugs [1,2]. On the other hand, nature and in particular marineorganisms have been the source and inspiration for the development of different biomedicalapplications, including drug delivery devices [3]. On the border of both rests diatomsexoskeletons, nature-made porous silica-based microparticles with amazing morphologicalfeatures, promising a high potential in drug delivery. Nevertheless, its safety and drugpermeability on oral formulations have not yet been studied. In this study, we have demonstratedthat diatoms silica microparticles (DSM) have almost no toxicity in colon cancer cells Caco-2, HT-29, HCT-116 and Caco-2/HT-29, even at concentrations as high as 1000 μg/mL. Moreover, thedelivery profile of two common drugs to address gastrointestinal diseases, mesalamine (antiinflammatory)and prednisone (glucocorticosteroid). DSMs are able to release prednisone in acontrolled manner and change its absorption pattern, which may improve the safety of itsadministration. In addition, DSMs can enhance the permeation of mesalamine. These resultsconfirm the potential of DSMs for the development of oral formulations for the therapy ofgastrointestinal diseases.