Silver and quercetin loaded nanostructured silica materials as potential dermal formulation

In this study it was demonstrated for the first time that the application of silver modified nanoporous silica as a carrier of natural flavonoid quercetin leads to the formation of efficient dermal formulation. By direct or post synthesis methods finely dispersed silver nanoparticles can be stabilized in the channels or on the outer surface of nanoporous silica support. High quercetin loading capacity (over 40 wt. %) could be achieved on the parent and Ag-containing MCM-41 samples. The in vitro release process at pH=5.5 showed slower quercetin release from Ag-modified MCM-41 samples compared to the parent one. The cytotoxic experiments evidenced that quercetin encapsulated in Ag-modified silica carriers has superior antineoplastic potential against HUT-29 cells compared to free drug.