Development of a new (bio)hybrid matrix based on Althaea officinalis and Betonica officinalis extracts loaded into mesoporous silica nanoparticles for bioactive compounds with therapeutic applications

Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) coated with biopolymers are already known for their enormous benefits, as a pharmaceutical matrix, in the medical and pharmaceutical fields. Here, we report the preparation of two types of hybrid matrices, containing SBA-15-MSNs covered with mucilaginous polysaccharides extracted from Althaea officinalis folium in natural and acid pH conditions and polyphenols fraction from Betonica officinalis, respectively. The analysis of phenol composition reveals a selective polysaccharides fraction immobilized on SBA-15-MSNs and evidences higher concentration of polyphenols in Althaeae extract obtained in natural conditions. The acid pH of the extraction conditions favored immobilization of polyphenols on the surface of silica support compared to those obtained under natural conditions. The results regarding the two plant extracts cytotoxicity against the tumour cell line Hep-2 suggest that if Althaeae folium extract is able to reduce the viability of Hep-2 cancer cells likely by reducing the accessibility of the tumour cells to nutrients from the medium, Betonica officinalis extract has the capacity to reduce Hep-2 tumour cell viability by interfering with inner metabolism of the cell. Given these, new effective antiproliferative material biocomposites are expected when combining Althaeae and Betonica extracts.