Preparation, the physicochemical assessment, and the cytotoxicity of Cisplatin-loaded mesoporous Silica nanoparticles against head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell line

The aim of this study was to prepare, the physicochemical assessment and the cytotoxicity testing of cisplatin-loaded mesoporous silica nanoparticles against head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell line (HNSCC). Cisplatin-loaded mesoporous silica nanoparticles were prepared through the precipitation method. The prepared nanoparticles were evaluated by conventional methods in terms of physicochemical properties. The cytotoxic effect of the nanoparticles and the free cisplatin were assessed on the head and neck squamous carcinoma cell line. The results showed that the prepared nanoparticles with nanometer size and the negative surface charge belonged to the MCM-41 silica family. TEM images established the mesoporous construction and the rod-shaped morphology of the produced nanoparticles. Based on Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis, the specific surface area, pore volume, and pore diameter decreased compared to free mesoporous silica because of drug filling into the mesoporous pores. The nanoparticles showed a two stage release pattern that continued slowly until the 35th day. Mesoporous silica nanoparticles displayed no significant cytotoxic effect on HNSCC. Cisplatin displayed a cytotoxic effect with IC50 of 82.01 μM and 33.67 μM in 24 h and 48 h incubation times, respectively. However, cisplatin-loaded mesoporous silica nanoparticles displayed a cytotoxic effect with IC50 of 26.17 μM and 13.28 μM in 24 and 48 h incubation times, respectively. The results can highlight the capability of cisplatin-loaded mesoporous silica nanoparticles to be applied in the treatment of oral cancerous cells.