Mold-Templated Inorganic−Organic Hybrid Supraparticles for Codelivery of Drugs

Abstract

This paper reports a facile and robust moldtemplated

technique for the assembly of mesoporous silica

(MS) supraparticles and demonstrates their potential as

vehicles for codelivery of brain-derived neurotrophic factor

(BDNF) and dexamethasone (DEX). The MS supraparticles

are assembled using gelatin as a biodegradable adhesive to bind

and cross-link the particles. Microfabricated molds made of

polydimethylsiloxane are used to control the size and shape of

the supraparticles. The obtained mesoporous silica-gelatin

hybrid supraparticles (MSG-SPs) are stable in water as well as

in organic solvents, such as dimethyl sulfoxide, and efficiently coencapsulate both BDNF and DEX. The MSG-SPs also exhibit

sustained release kinetics in simulated physiological conditions (>30 days), making them potential candidates for long-term

delivery of therapeutics to the inner ear.