The effect of a P123 template in mesopores of mesocellular foam on the controlled-release of venlafaxine

A series of mesocellular foams (MCFs)-based mesoporous silica nanospheres (DH-MCF-P123-n, (n = 12, 2, 0.5)) were synthesized as controlled-release deliveries for a typical antidepressant drug, venlafaxine. The foams were 3-(2,3-dihydroxypropoxyl)propyl-grafted and the P123 template partially preserved. We studied the release profiles of venlafaxine-loaded DH-MCF-P123-n in simulated gastric fluid (SGF) and simulated intestinal fluid (SIF), respectively, as well as their corresponding venlafaxine loading capacities. Appropriate amounts of P123 template preserved in mesopores showed an efficient synergetic effect on increasing venlafaxine loading capacity and controlled-release property. Up to 90.87% (mass fraction) of venlafaxine could be loaded into DH-MCF-P123-2. For this carrier, 36% of venlafaxine was released after 1 h of incubation in SGF and 53% of venlafaxine was released after 12 h in SIF. The mechanisms of the loading and releasing processes were tentatively described based on the release behaviors. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.