Hybrid nanoarchitecture of gelatin-modified silica-chitosan as an efficient delivery platform and functional role of crosslinking

A novel hybrid of a quercetin-loaded silica-chitosan, modified by crosslinked gelatin-folate was developed in the current study as a pH-sensitive drug delivery system. The entrapment efficiency of quercetin was measured at about 77%. The drug release pattern was investigated in acidic and natural media (pH 5.6 and pH = 7.4) for 96 h. In-vitro drug release from unmodified carriers exhibited a rapid release in the early times (57 and 39% after 24 h in acidic and neutral media), which was followed by a slower release. However, the release behavior was improved after modifying the carrier with a gelatin-folate layer. In addition, a further release rate was observed for the gelatin-modified carrier in an acidic medium (31% after 24 h) compared to a neutral condition (20% after 24 h), confirming pH-sensitive behavior. Furthermore, the cumulative release of quercetin from the crosslinked gelatin-folate modified silica-chitosan carrier followed an approximately slow release, so that 23% and 15% of the drug was released after 24 h in acidic and natural conditions, respectively. The release date was described by the Higuchi model, suggesting that both diffusion and polymer swelling control the release process. The high drug loading, pH-triggered behavior, and controlled release of the developed hybrid drug platform, combined with low toxicity, render this designed carrier applicable in targeted drug delivery.