Drug-Coformer Loaded-Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles: A Review of the Preparation, Characterization, and Mechanism of Drug Release

Abstract

Drug-coformer systems, such as coamorphous and cocrystal, are gaining recognition as highly effective strategies for enhancing the stability, solubility, and dissolution of drugs. These systems depend on the interactions between drug and coformer to prevent the conversion of amorphous drugs into the crystalline form and improve the solubility. Furthermore, mesoporous silica (MPS) is also a promising carrier commonly used for stabilization, leading to solubility improvement of poorly water-soluble drugs. The surface interaction of drug-MPS and the nanoconfinement effect prevent amorphous drugs from crystallizing. A novel method has been developed recently, which entails the loading of drug-coformer into MPS to improve the solubility, dissolution, and physical stability of the amorphous drug. This method uses the synergistic effects of drug-coformer interactions and the nanoconfinement effect within MPS. Several studies have reported successful incorporation of drug-coformer into MPS, indicating the potential for significant improvement in dissolution characteristics and physical stability of the drug. Therefore, this study aimed to discuss the preparation and characterization of drug-coformer within MPS, particularly the interaction in the nanoconfinement, as well as the impact on drug release and physical stability.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• mesoporous silica nanoparticles
• coamorphous
• cocrystal
• hydrogen bond
• dissolution
• physical stability

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Universitas Padjadjaran for supporting this work and APC.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.

Additional information

Funding

This research was funded by Universitas Padjadjaran (Riset Kolaborasi Indonesia (RKI)) to A.B. (No. 2213/UN6.3.1/TU.00/2023, 11 Mei 2023). (CC-BY-NC).