Impact of the mesoporous silica SBA-15 functionalization on the mode of action of Ph3Sn(CH2)6OH

Abstract Herein appropriateness of nonfunctionalized mesoporous silica nanoparticles SBA-15 and functionalized with (3-chloropropyl) triethoxysilane(→ SBA-15~Cl) and ( 3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane(→ SBA-15~NH 2 ) on delivery of physically adsorbed Ph 3 Sn(CH 2 ) 6 OH (Sn6) is evaluated. Fluorescent nanomaterial, bearing isatoic moiety, loaded with Sn6 (→ SBA-15~NF|Sn6) was used for cellular uptake study. The fluorescent nanomaterial is efficiently acquired and distributed into the cytoplasm of the cells even after 2 h of cultivation. According to the attained data, all SBA-15 materials loaded with Sn6 diminished cellular viability in dose dependent manner while carriers alone (SBA-15, SBA-15~Cl, SBA-15~NH 2 ) did not show cytotoxicity against B16 cells. According to the MC 50 values structural modification of SBA-15 did not improve the efficacy of tested drug. While progressive apoptosis was detected upon the treatment with SBA-15|Sn6, exposure of cells to SBA-15~NH 2 |Sn6 revealed extinguished apoptosis in time, accompanied with lower caspase activity. This effect is probably due to triggered autophagic process under the treatment with the SBA-15~NH 2 |Sn6, thus opposed to apoptosis. Presented results suggested that functionalization of SBA-15 was not beneficial for the efficacy of loaded drug, thus, all of them are almost equally efficient considering loaded Sn6 content. Importantly, functionalization of SBA-15 does have an influence on the mode of action and differentiation inducing properties.