Synergistic Co-Delivery Of Berberine Hydrochloride And Amphotericin B Using Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles: Formulation Strategy And Physicochemical Characterization

Abstract

Objective: A critical requirement for any nanoparticle intended for drug delivery applications, regardless of the nanocarrier type, is its ability to deliver therapeutic agents precisely to target sites within the body, thereby enhancing effectiveness and minimizing adverse effects. Consequently, when designing a nanocarrier, it is essential to account for its biological interactions and behaviour upon administration. This study reports the synthesis of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNPs) co-encapsulating Berberine hydrochloride and Amphotericin B, synthesized via a sol-gel method.

Method: The study provides a comprehensive evaluation of the synthesis and characterization of mesoporous silica nanoparticles encapsulating Berberine hydrochloride and Amphotericin B. Various parameters, including particle size, polydispersity index, surface morphology, drug loading capacity, zeta potential, entrapment efficiency, and release behaviour, were systematically analysed.

Results: The blank mesoporous silica nanoparticles had an average diameter of 210 ± 3.8 nm, with a polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.304 ± 0.065, and carried a zeta potential of −21.2 ± 1.3 mV. After co-loading Berberine hydrochloride and Amphotericin B (forming the BBR‑AMB‑MSNPs), the optimized formulation increased slightly in size to 260 ± 3.5 nm, with a PDI of 0.353 ± 0.012 and a zeta potential similarly around −27 ± 4.5 mV. It achieved high encapsulation efficiencies BBR and AMB of range 68.20±3.4 % to 75.34±2.3 and 62.23±1.8 % to 70.55±2.4, respectively. Spectroscopic and microscopic examinations verified that both drugs were successfully entrapped within the silica matrix. Meanwhile, in vitro drug-release assays revealed a controlled release pattern for both active agents.

Conclusions: The formulation strategy led to a robust, well-characterized mesoporous silica nanoparticle capable of effectively delivering both Berberine HCl and Amphotericin B. The optimized BBR‑AMB‑MSNP platform exhibits promising physicochemical properties appropriate size, uniformity and high entrapment efficiency alongside desirable in vitro release behaviour.