Light-responsive dual-functional biodegradable mesoporous silica nanoparticles with drug delivery and lubrication enhancement for the treatment of osteoarthritis.

Visible light-responsive dual-functional biodegradable mesoporous silica nanoparticles with drug delivery and lubrication enhancement were constructed by supramolecular interaction between azobenzene-modified mesoporous silica nanoparticles (bMSNs-AZO) and β-cyclodextrin-modified poly(2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine) (CD-PMPC). Visible light could effectively trigger azobenzene isomerization and thus induce drug release after passing through the dermal tissue. Additionally, the hydration layer formed by CD-PMPC on the surface of the nanoparticles played an important role in lubrication enhancement, which was beneficial for the treatment of osteoarthritis.