In situ synthesis of UV-responsive mesoporous SiO2 drug release systems using the associates of anionic drugs and cationic silica source as templates

One of the major challenges in medicine is the preparation of a controlled drug release system sensitive to environmental stimuli via a simple method. In the present work, the association of ibuprofen with (3-aminopropyl) triethoxysilane (APTES) was studied in detail. Then a mesoporous SiO2 (m-SiO2) drug release systems were synthesized via the simplified sol–gel method using the associates of ibuprofen and APTES as templates. Also, the m-SiO2 were in situ modified by UV-responsive groups to fabricate particles sensitive to pH and UV stimulus. On–off release behaviors were realized by further association of UV-responsive groups of the particles with β-cyclodextrins. Although slight harm of the particles to Gram-negative E. coli was observed due to the introduction of UV-responsive groups, it could be overcome by slight enlargement of the particle size. Therefore, the fabricated m-SiO2 particles were smart drug release systems.