Functionalization of Rice Husk‐Derived Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles for Targeted and Imaging in Cancer Drug Delivery

Background

Rice, a pivotal global food staple, annually accumulates vast rice husks, resulting in substantial environmental impact. Exploiting the high silica content in rice husk, our research aimed to recycle this agricultural by‐product to synthesize mesoporous silica nanoparticles (rMSNs). These nanoparticles were further modified to evaluate their potential as effective carriers for cancer drug delivery.

Results

rMSNs showed high biocompatibility, large surface area, and porous structure as mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs), making them excellent drug carriers. Further modifications were applied to rMSNs, such as the incorporation of the lanthanides europium (Eu) and gadolinium (Gd) into rMSNs, making them fluorescent and magnetic for detection and tracking using confocal fluorescence microscopy and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Additionally, folic acid (FA) and aptamer AS1411 were conjugated with rMSNs to enhance the targeting of cancer cells. HeLa cells exhibited higher uptake of camptothecin (CPT)‐loaded rMSNs compared to normal fibroblast cells (L929). The linkage of disulfide bonds to rMSNs also allowed CPT to be carried by rMSNs and released intracellularly in the presence of the abundant reducing agent glutathione. The validation of rMSNs in vitro and in vivo proved the practical feasibility of rMSNs.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that low‐cost rMSNs, derived from recycling agricultural waste, can replace highly valuable MSNs. Functionalized rMSNs exhibit promising capabilities in transporting clinical drugs to specific aberrant tissues and offering dual‐targeting and dual‐imaging functionalities for enhanced cancer therapy.

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