Jul 2026· Current Materials Science· Vol 19· 0 citations
TL;DR
This review uniquely integrates synthesis strategies, pharmaceutical optimization techniques, and biological performance under a unified framework, with particular emphasis on translational relevance, for advancing mesoporous silica- based drug delivery systems toward clinical application.
Abstract
Poor aqueous solubility remains a critical barrier to the development of
orally administered drugs, particularly those in the Biopharmaceutics Classification
System (BCS) Class II and IV. In recent years, Mesoporous Silica Materials (MSMs)
have emerged as promising inorganic carriers for improving solubility and bioavailability.
Their unique structural attributes, including high specific surface area, tunable
pore sizes (2–50 nm), large pore volume, and abundant surface silanol groups, enable
efficient drug adsorption, stabilization in the amorphous form, and prevention of recrystallization.
Various synthesis methods such as sol–gel processing, liquid crystal
templating, and microwave-assisted techniques allow precise control of pore architecture,
while diverse drug-loading approaches (e.g., solvent evaporation, incipient wetness
impregnation, co-milling, melt methods) enhance encapsulation efficiency and
dissolution kinetics. Encapsulation within mesopores promotes spatial confinement
and amorphization of poorly soluble drugs, significantly increasing dissolution rates
and oral bioavailability. Functionalization of Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles
(MSNs) with hydrophilic groups or targeting ligands further improves wettability,
dispersion, and site-specific delivery. Applications span the delivery of hydrophobic
agents including fenofibrate, itraconazole, and carvedilol, with multiple-fold improvements
in dissolution and therapeutic efficacy. Poor aqueous solubility remains a
major limitation in the oral delivery of BCS class II and IV drugs. Mesoporous Silica
Materials (MSMs) have emerged as versatile inorganic nanocarriers due to their high
surface area, tunable pore architecture, and amenability to surface functionalization,
enabling efficient drug loading, amorphization, and dissolution enhancement. This
review uniquely integrates synthesis strategies, pharmaceutical optimization techniques,
and biological performance under a unified framework, with particular emphasis
on translational relevance. Recent advances in solvent-free loading, surface
engineering, and stimuli-responsive systems are critically discussed alongside emerging
in vivo pharmacokinetic, biodegradation, and toxicological evidence. Despite
promising preclinical outcomes, challenges related to large-scale manufacturing,
long-term biocompatibility, controlled clearance, and regulatory standardization remain.
Addressing these gaps through biodegradable designs, rational particle engineering,
and robust in vivo evaluation will be crucial for advancing mesoporous silica-
based drug delivery systems toward clinical application.
The development of efficient and targeted drug delivery systems remains a significant challenge, particularly for active pharmaceutical ingredients with poor aqueous solubility. Among various nanocarrier systems, Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles (MSNs) have emerged as promising candidates due to their high surface area, tunable pore size (2-50 nm), thermal stability, and chemical modifiability. This review comprehensively discusses the rationale behind the utilization of MSN as drug delivery systems, focusing on how the type and concentration of surfactants, along with surface functionalization strategies, influence their physicochemical characteristics and pharmacokinetic performance. The synthesis of MSNs typically involves sol-gel processes using silica precursors (e.g., tetraethyl orthosilicate) and surfactants (e.g., cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide, Pluronic F127), which dictate the morphology, particle size, and pore architecture of the resulting nanoparticles. Furthermore, surface modifications employing functional groups such as polyethylene glycol or pH-responsive polymers enhance biocompatibility, prolong systemic circulation, and enable controlled and site-specific drug release. Evidence from recent studies demonstrates that MSNs significantly improve drug loading efficiency, enhance solubility and bioavailability, and reduce off-target toxicity. Consequently, MSNs represent a highly versatile and modifiable platform with considerable potential for addressing the limitations of conventional drug delivery systems, particularly in oncology and the treatment of chronic diseases.
Ahmad Ainurofiq, Y. Ramadhana, Salma Aqilah Rachmadani et al.· Recent Advances in Drug Deli...· 0 citations
Abstract One of the major challenges in pharmaceutical drug development is the poor solubility of active compounds. Various strategies have been explored to improve drug solubility, including particle size reduction, crystal form modification, and amorphization. However, these approaches share a common limitation, namely poor physical stability. One promising alternative is the incorporation of drugs into mesoporous materials, which has been shown to improve the pharmaceutical properties of active compounds. The two most commonly studied materials are mesoporous carbon (MC) and mesoporous silica (MS). These materials are known to possess distinct structural and surface characteristics, which ultimately influence the drug delivery behavior of the loaded compounds. Although numerous studies have independently investigated drug delivery using mesoporous materials, direct comparisons between MC and MS remain limited. Therefore, this review aims to provide a comprehensive review of both materials, particularly in terms of their ability to improve the pharmaceutical performance of poorly soluble drugs. Based on the available literature, MC appears to offer higher drug loading efficiency and improved physical stability in many formulations, whereas MS is frequently associated with faster dissolution profiles. Both materials improve drug solubility to a comparable extent and have also demonstrated potential to enhance bioavailability and pharmacological performance. These differences are mainly attributed to surface chemistry, where MC enables strong π-π and hydrophobic interactions, while MS primarily interacts through hydrogen bonding. Overall, both materials offer complementary advantages and should be selected based on formulation goals. This study aligns primarily with SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being by advancing drug formulation technologies to improve the efficacy, stability, and delivery of essential therapeutics.
Jeremy Marcelino, Yoga Windhu Wardhana, Laila Subra et al.· International Journal of Nan...· 0 citations
Traditional gel-based dosage forms, such as hydrogels and organogels, have been utilized extensively in topical and semi-solid pharmaceutical formulations. Nevertheless, constraints include inadequate compatibility with hydrophobic active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), vulnerability to microbial contamination, restricted shelf life, and insufficient mechanical stability have prompted the advancement of alternate delivery strategies. Drygels, which include aerogels, xerogels, and cryogels, represent a promising category of porous solid-state carriers derived from gel precursors via controlled drying or freeze-processing methods.These characteristics facilitate the effective loading of hydrophobic pharmaceuticals in an amorphous form, markedly enhancing water solubility and oral bioavailability. Prominent production techniques encompass supercritical CO₂ drying, freeze-drying, and ambient-pressure evaporative drying, each yielding unique structural attributes. Drygels exhibit extensive applicability in oral, transdermal, pulmonary, nasal, and implantable drug delivery systems, as well as biosensing. Drygels constitute a revolutionary platform in pharmaceutical formulation, providing improved performance and versatility. This review rigorously analyzes their composition, manufacturing techniques, gelation mechanisms and stability properties.
S. R, Dhanusiya V, Yogashruthi S· Advanced International Journ...· 0 citations
Findings establish chitosan-coated, cholesterol-Tween niosomes as versatile, biocompatible carriers that provide sustained release and preserve bioactivity, with promising potential for ocular drug delivery and broader biomedical applications.
Sony Moni Das, Z. Fatima, P. Awat et al.· Physical Chemistry, Chemical...· 0 citations
Controlled and sustained drug delivery has emerged as a transformative strategy for overcoming the limitations of conventional pharmaceutical formulations, including poor bioavailability, rapid drug clearance, systemic toxicity, and non-specific distribution. Among the numerous delivery platforms investigated, polymeric nanocomposite carriers have attracted considerable attention because they integrate the excellent biocompatibility, biodegradability, and processability of polymers with the unique physicochemical, mechanical, optical, magnetic, and therapeutic properties of inorganic nanomaterials. This review provides a comprehensive and critical evaluation of recent advances in polymeric nanocomposite-based drug delivery systems, highlighting the synergistic interactions between natural and synthetic polymers and a broad spectrum of nanofillers, including metal and metal oxide nanoparticles, carbon-based nanomaterials, nanoclays, mesoporous materials, and electrospun nanofibers. The influence of nanocomposite composition, fabrication strategies, and physicochemical characteristics on drug loading, encapsulation efficiency, release kinetics, targeting capability, and biological performance is systematically discussed. Furthermore, representative therapeutic applications in cancer therapy, wound healing, antimicrobial treatment, tissue engineering, neurological disorders, and regenerative medicine are critically compared to establish structure–property–performance relationships. This review primarily summarizes individual carrier systems, preparation methods, release mechanisms, and biomedical applications into a unified framework while identifying current limitations related to nanoparticle aggregation, long-term biocompatibility, biodegradation, large-scale manufacturing, regulatory approval, and clinical translation. This review provides valuable insights for researchers working on the rational design of advanced polymeric nanocomposites with enhanced therapeutic efficacy, improved safety, and accelerated clinical applicability.
M. Samy· Kompleksnoe Ispolzovanie Min...· 0 citations
