Hélder A. Santos

Biocompatibility of Thermally Hydrocarbonized Porous Silicon Nanoparticles and their Biodistribution in Rats

Porous silicon (PSi) particles have been studied for the effects they elicit in Caco-2 and RAW 264.7 macrophage cells in terms of toxicity, oxidative stress, and inflammatory response. The most suitable particles were then functionalized with a novel (18)F label to assess their biodistribution after enteral and parenteral administration in a rat model. The results show that thermally hydrocarbonized porous silicon (THCPSi) nanoparticles did not induce any significant toxicity, oxidative stress, or inflammatory response in Caco-2 and RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. Fluorescently labeled nanoparticles were associated with the cells surface but were not extensively internalized. Biodistribution studies in rats using novel (18)F-labeled THCPSi nanoparticles demonstrated that the particles passed intact through the gastrointestinal tract after oral administration and were also not absorbed from a subcutaneous deposit. After intravenous administration, the particles were found mainly in the liver and spleen, indicating rapid removal from the circulation. Overall, these silicon-based nanosystems exhibit excellent in vivo stability, low cytotoxicity, and nonimmunogenic profiles, ideal for oral drug delivery purposes.

Drug permeation across intestinal epithelial cells using porous silicon nanoparticles

Mesoporous silicon particles hold great potential in improving the solubility of otherwise poorly soluble drugs. To effectively translate this feature into the clinic, especially via oral or parenteral administration, a thorough understanding of the interactions of the micro- and nanosized material with the physiological environment during the delivery process is required. In the present study, the behaviour of thermally oxidized porous silicon particles of different sizes interacting with Caco-2 cells (both non-differentiated and polarized monolayers) was investigated in order to establish their fate in a model of intestinal epithelial cell barrier. Particle interactions and TNF-α were measured in RAW 264.7 macrophages, while cell viabilities, reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide levels, together with transmission electron microscope images of the polarized monolayers, were assessed with both the Caco-2 cells and RAW 264.7 macrophages. The results showed a concentration and size dependent influence on cell viability and ROS-, NO- and TNF-α levels. There was no evidence of the porous nanoparticles crossing the Caco-2 cell monolayers, yet increased permeation of the loaded poorly soluble drug, griseofulvin, was shown.

In vitro cytotoxicity of porous silicon microparticles: Effect of the particle concentration, surface chemistry and size

We report here the in vitro cytotoxicity of mesoporous silicon (PSi) microparticles on the Caco-2 cells as a function of particle size fractions (1.2-75 microm), particle concentration (0.2-4 mg ml(-1)) and incubation times (3, 11 and 24 h). The particle size (smaller PSi particles showed higher cytotoxicity) and the surface chemistry treatment of the PSi microparticles were considered to be the key factors regarding the toxicity aspects. These effects were significant after the 11 and 24 h exposure times, and were explained by cell-particle interactions involving mitochondrial disruption resulting from ATP depletion and reactive oxygen species production induced by the PSi surface. These events further induced an increase in cell apoptosis and consequent cell damage and cell death in a dose-dependent manner and as a function of the PSi particle size. These effects were, however, less pronounced with thermally oxidized PSi particles. Under the experimental conditions tested and at particle sizes >25 microm, the non-toxic threshold concentration for thermally hydrocarbonized and carbonized PSi particles was <2 mg ml(-1), and for thermally oxidized PSi microparticles was <4 mg ml(-1).

Intravenous Delivery of Hydrophobin-Functionalized Porous Silicon Nanoparticles: Stability, Plasma Protein Adsorption and Biodistribution

Rapid immune recognition and subsequent elimination from the circulation hampers the use of many nanomaterials as carriers to targeted drug delivery and controlled release in the intravenous route. Here, we report the effect of a functional self-assembled protein coating on the intravenous biodistribution of (18)F-labeled thermally hydrocarbonized porous silicon (THCPSi) nanoparticles in rats. (18)F-Radiolabeling enables the sensitive and easy quantification of nanoparticles in tissues using radiometric methods and allows imaging of the nanoparticle biodistribution with positron emission tomography. Coating with Trichoderma reesei HFBII altered the hydrophobicity of (18)F-THCPSi nanoparticles and resulted in a pronounced change in the degree of plasma protein adsorption to the nanoparticle surface in vitro. The HFBII-THCPSi nanoparticles were biocompatible in RAW 264.7 macrophages and HepG2 liver cells making their intravenous administration feasible. In vivo, the distribution of the nanoparticles between the liver and spleen, the major mononuclear phagocyte system organs in the body, was altered compared to that of uncoated (18)F-THCPSi. Identification of the adsorbed proteins revealed that certain opsonins and apolipoproteins are enriched in HFBII-functionalized nanoparticles, whereas the adsorption of abundant plasma components such as serum albumin and fibrinogen is decreased.

Multifunctional porous silicon for therapeutic drug delivery and imaging

Major challenges in drug formulation are the poor solid state stability of drug molecules, poor dissolution/solubility and/or poor pharmacokinetic properties (bioavailability), which may lead to unreliable in vitro-in vivo (IVIV) correlation. To improve current therapeutical strategies, novel means to deliver poorly water soluble active pharmaceutical ingredients, as well as to target them to specific sites or cells in the body are needed. Biomedical applications of porous silicon (PSi) have been actively investigated during the last 10 years, especially in the areas of drug delivery and imaging, due to the biocompatibility and biodegradability of PSi materials, which makes them a potential candidate for controlled drug release. In addition, the unique pore sizes and easily functionalized surface properties of PSi materials allow high drug payloads and controlled kinetics from the drug release formulations. Modification of the PSi surface properties also facilitates biofunctionalization of the surface and the possibility to attach targeting moieties (e.g., antibodies and peptides), thus enabling effective targeting of the payload. In this review, we briefly address the production methodologies of PSi, and we will mainly present and discuss several examples about the biocompatibility of PSi, the most recent in vitro and in vivo applications of PSi as a carrier in drug/protein/peptide delivery and tissue engineering, as well as PSi as a platform for drug targeting and imaging.

Co-delivery of a hydrophobic small molecule and a hydrophilic peptide by porous silicon nanoparticles

Nanoparticulate drug delivery systems offer remarkable opportunities for clinical treatment. However, there are several challenges when they are employed to deliver multiple cargos/payloads, particularly concerning the synchronous delivery of small molecular weight drugs and relatively larger peptides. Since porous silicon (PSi) nanoparticles (NPs) can easily contain high payloads of drugs with various properties, we evaluated their carrier potential in multi-drug delivery for co-loading of the hydrophobic drug indomethacin and the hydrophilic human peptide YY3-36 (PYY3-36). Sequential loading of these two drugs into the PSi NPs enhanced the drug release rate of each drug and also their amount permeated across Caco-2 and Caco-2/HT29 cell monolayers. Regardless of the loading approach used, dual or single, the drug permeation profiles were in good correlation with their drug release behaviour. Furthermore, the permeation studies indicated the critical role of the mucus intestinal layer and the paracellular resistance in the permeation of the therapeutic compounds across the intestinal wall. Loading with PYY3-36 also greatly improved the cytocompatibility of the PSi NPs. Conformational analysis indicated that the PYY3-36 could still display biological activity after release from the PSi NPs and permeation across the intestinal cell monolayers. These results are the first demonstration of the promising potential of PSi NPs for simultaneous multi-drug delivery of both hydrophobic and hydrophilic compounds.

The mucoadhesive and gastroretentive properties of hydrophobin-coated porous silicon nanoparticle oral drug delivery systems

Impediments to intestinal absorption, such as poor solubility and instability in the variable conditions of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract plague many of the current drugs restricting their oral bioavailability. Particulate drug delivery systems hold great promise in solving these problems, but their effectiveness might be limited by their often rapid transit through the GI tract. Here we describe a bioadhesive oral drug delivery system based on thermally-hydrocarbonized porous silicon (THCPSi) functionalized with a self-assembled amphiphilic protein coating consisting of a class II hydrophobin (HFBII) from Trichoderma reesei. The HFBII-THCPSi nanoparticles were found to be non-cytotoxic and mucoadhesive in AGS cells, prompting their use in a biodistribution study in rats after oral administration. The passage of HFBII-THCPSi nanoparticles in the rat GI tract was significantly slower than that of uncoated THCPSi, and the nanoparticles were retained in stomach by gastric mucoadhesion up to 3 h after administration. Upon entry to the small intestine, the mucoadhesive properties were lost, resulting in the rapid transit of the nanoparticles through the remainder of the GI tract. The gastroretentive drug delivery system with a dual function presented here is a viable alternative for improving drug bioavailability in the oral route.

Drug Delivery Formulations of Ordered and Nonordered Mesoporous Silica: Comparison of Three Drug Loading Methods

A poorly soluble model drug, indomethacin (IMC), was loaded into two types of silica particles using three different loading methods. The loading efficiency and the extent/rate of drug release were evaluated. Widely used equipment in pharmaceutical laboratories, rotavapor and fluid bed, were used in the loading. The porous materials used were ordered mesoporous silica MCM-41 and nonordered silica gel Syloid 244 FP EU. The materials differ both in their pore properties and particle sizes. Tablets were successfully compressed from the IMC-loaded particles. Mechanical stability of the porous structures was studied with XRPD and nitrogen sorption after tableting and drug release was evaluated at pH 5.5 before and after tableting. The release of the poorly soluble IMC was faster from the Syloid than from the MCM-41, presumably due to the larger pore size and smaller particle size. Loading of IMC into the MCM-41 microparticles improved the drug dissolution, and blending the microparticles with pharmaceutical excipients improved the IMC release even further. The fast release was also maintained after tableting. Loading of IMC into the Syloid particles alone was sufficient to produce similar IMC release profiles, as in the case of MCM-41 with the excipients.

Polymer-based nanoparticles for oral insulin delivery: Revisited approaches

Diabetes mellitus is a high prevalence and one of the most severe and lethal diseases in the world. Insulin is commonly used to treat diabetes in order to give patients a better life condition. However, due to bioavailability problems, the most common route of insulin administration is the subcutaneous route, which may present patients compliance problems to treatment. The oral administration is thus considered the most convenient alternative to deliver insulin, but it faces important challenges. The low stability of insulin in the gastrointestinal tract and low intestinal permeation, are problems to overcome. Therefore, the encapsulation of insulin into polymer-based nanoparticles is presented as a good strategy to improve insulin oral bioavailability. In the last years, different strategies and polymers have been used to encapsulate insulin and deliver it orally. Polymers with distinct properties from natural or synthetic sources have been used to achieve this aim, and among them may be found chitosan, dextran, alginate, poly(γ-glutamic acid), hyaluronic acid, poly(lactic acid), poly(lactide-co-glycolic acid), polycaprolactone (PCL), acrylic polymers and polyallylamine. Promising studies have been developed and positive results were obtained, but there is not a polymeric-based nanoparticle system to deliver insulin orally available in the market yet. There is also a lack of long term toxicity studies about the safety of the developed carriers. Thus, the aims of this review are first to provide a deep understanding on the oral delivery of insulin and the possible routes for its uptake, and then to overview the evolution of this field in the last years of research of insulin-loaded polymer-based nanoparticles in the academic and industrial fields. Toxicity concerns of the discussed nanocarriers are also addressed.

Microfluidic Assembly of Monodisperse Multistage pH‐Responsive Polymer/Porous Silicon Composites for Precisely Controlled Multi‐Drug Delivery

We report an advanced drug delivery platform for combination chemotherapy by concurrently incorporating two different drugs into microcompoistes with ratiometric control over the loading degree. Atorvastatin and celecoxib were selected as model drugs due to their different physicochemical properties and synergetic effect on colorectal cancer prevention and inhibition. To be effective in colorectal cancer prevention and inhibition, the produced microcomposite contained hypromellose acetate succinate, which is insoluble in acidic conditions but highly dissolving at neutral or alkaline pH conditions. Taking advantage of the large pore volume of porous silicon (PSi), atorvastatin was firstly loaded into the PSi matrix, and then encapsulated into the pH-responsive polymer microparticles containing celecoxib by microfluidics in order to obtain multi-drug loaded polymer/PSi microcomposites. The prepared microcomposites showed monodisperse size distribution, multistage pH-response, precise ratiometric controlled loading degree towards the simultaneously loaded drug molecules, and tailored release kinetics of the loaded cargos. This attractive microcomposite platform protects the payloads from being released at low pH-values, and enhances their release at higher pH-values, which can be further used for colon cancer prevention and treatment. Overall, the pH-responsive polymer/PSi-based microcomposite can be used as a universal platform for the delivery of different drug molecules for combination therapy.