Microfluidic-assisted synthesis of mesoporous silica nanoparticles as drug carriers: characterization and biocompatibility studies

In this study, mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) were synthesized using a microfluidic chip with a continuous flow-focusing platform under different conditions. Subsequently, a product with a higher specific surface area was selected as a carrier for doxorubicin (DOX). Several characterization techniques were employed, along with drug release studies and cell viability assessments, to evaluate the products. The findings indicated that under optimal conditions, MSNs with a spherical morphology and an amorphous structure with an average particle size of about 70 nm and a surface area of similar to 920 m(2)/g were effectively synthesized. In addition, the cytotoxicity test of bare MSNs on the MCF-7 cell line demonstrated their biocompatibility and low toxicity towards these cells. However, the cytotoxicity test of drug-loaded MSNs, containing approximately 30% DOX, revealed a lethality rate of about 60% after 3 days on the MCF-7 cells.