Synthesis and in vitro evaluation of charge reversal photoresponsive quinoline tethered mesoporous silica for targeted drug delivery

We developed excellent charge reversal photoresponsive nanoparticles for targeted delivery of the anticancer drug chlorambucil. The charge reversal photoresponsive nanoparticles were constructed using two main ingredients, namely folic acid decorated mesoporous silica and quinoline chromophore. The newly synthesized quinoline chromophore performed three important roles, i.e., (i) fluorescent chromophore for cell imaging, (ii) phototrigger for regulated release of anticancer drug, and (iii) charge reversal based on its zeta potential for nuclear localization. Furthermore, folic acid decorated mesoporous silica facilitated active internalization of the drug inside the cancer cells. In vitro biological studies reveal that our photoresponsive DDS could deliver the anticancer drug chlorambucil into the tumor cells, killing the cancer cells by both one photon (≥365 nm) and two photon (675 nm) irradiation.