PVCL-grafted mesoporous silica nanocontainers for thermo-responsive controlled release and their antifungal activity study

Herein, thermo-responsive nanocontainers depended on mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) functionalized with two copolymers: poly(3-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane) PMPS, source of condensation with silica and poly(N-vinylcaprolactam) PVCL were synthesized by a facile one-step approach, characterized then evaluated as antifungal materials. Taking advantage of the polymer gatekeeper strategy, the loading or release processes of anidulafungin (AFG) as a model antifungal drug were adjusted by the stimuli-responsiveness of PVCL. Upon temperature treatment at various conditions, the loaded AFG was released with a killing effect against four strains of fungi, as reported by filter-paper and hole-plate technique. This kind of stimuli-sensitive nanocontainers can be a potential platform for biomedical applications.

Automated summary

Thermo-responsive nanocontainers were synthesized by modifying mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) with two copolymers, PMPS and PVCL. The loading and release of the antifungal drug AFG were controlled by the temperature-responsive PVCL, and the nanocontainers exhibited a killing effect against four strains of fungi. These stimuli-sensitive nanocontainers have great potential for biomedical applications.