Resumo:
The present work aimed to synthesize and functionalize silica Santa Barbara-
16 (SBA-16) nanoparticles to study the incorporation rate and release kinetics of
doxorubicin (DOXO), a potent antitumoral agent in order to reduce side effects and
enhance efficiency for cancer treatment. The matrix of silica SBA-16 was synthesized
through the sol-gel method, using tetraethyl orthosilicate as a precursor with the
surfactant Pluronic® F-127. The product was functionalized with 3-aminopropyl
triethoxysilane and characterized physiochemically and morphologically. The results
revealed that the methodology applied yielded silica nanoparticles with a mesoporous
matrix (SBA-16), with an average size of 296 ± 29 nm and zeta potential of -32.23 ± -
2.5 mV and SBA-16 matrices functionalized with alkoxysilane groups (SBA-16-
APTES) with the average size of 312 ± 31 nm and zeta potential of -8.3 ± -1.3 mV.
HPLC-DAD was used to evaluate the doxorubicin load rate and release kinetics profile
in the obtained matrices. The developed method presented parameters preconized by
RDC n° 166 standard from the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (ANVISA), with a
linear range from 1 to 250 μg/mL. The mean adsorption rate for SBA-16 was 92.77 %
and 66.52 % for SBA-16-APTES. The release kinetics was studied using simulated
body fluid (SBF) for both matrices at pH 4.5 and 7.4. Both matrices showed a controlled
release profile for pH 4.5, reaching 26.50 %, after 696 hours for the SBA-16 matrices
and 70.0 % after 696 hours for SBA-16-APTES. On the other hand, in physiological
pH, the release rates were significantly reduced, reaching only 10.00 %, even after 696
hours for the SBA-16 matrix and 32.76 % after 72 hours for SBA-16-APTES. From all
obtained results, SBA-16-APTES showed better and promising results for controlled
release applications and may be considered a potential cancer treatment system.
