Enhanced Loading and Release of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs from Silica-Based Nanoparticle Carriers.

Silica nanoparticles can be potentially considered the carriers of controlled drug systems. In this research, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were used. Diclofenac sodium and piroxicam were loaded on the considered nanosilica using solvent evaporation method. To prove drug encapsulation on the nanosilica and its rate, infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and BET were used, and after proving the existence of the drug in the nanosilica matrix and determining the amount of loading, dissolution test was performed in an environment similar to that of stomach and intestine in terms of pH. Drug loading percentage showed that over 90% of drugs were loaded on nanosilica. Dissolution tests in stomach pH environment showed the control samples (drug without SBA-15) released considerable amount of drugs (about 90%) within first 15 min, when it was about 10-20% for the matrixes. Furthermore, release rate of drugs from matrixes has shown slower rate in comparison with control samples. It was indicated nanosilica has the ability of retaining the drugs in acidic pH and prevented their release. Furthermore, the drugs were released in a controlled manner in small intestine, which is the main absorption site.