A novel pH-responsive controlled release system based on mesoporous silica coated with hydroxyapatite

With well bioactive and nontoxic, hydroxyapatite (HAp) was employed to seal the nanopores of mesoporous silica (MCM-41) to realize the pH-responsive controlled release. First, MCM-41 was modified with cationic polymer, poly-(diallyldimethylammoniumchloride) (PA). And after the addition of Ca²⁺/PO₄ ³⁻, HAp precipitation can take place based on the cationic sites derived from PA. It is a simple and effective way to obtain HAp coating MCM-41 system (MHAs). The structure of the system was characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, N₂ adsorption–desorption and so on. Metformin hydrochloride was used as the model drug, and the drug release performance and the release kinetics of the system were investigated in detail. Because of the degradation of HAp under acid condition, the drug loading MHAs showed a well pH-sensitive controlled release behavior. From above investigation, MHAs is a promising platform to construct a pH-responsive controlled drug delivery system, especially for some low pH tissues, such as inflammatory and tumor.