Folate-Mediated Targeting and Controlled Release: PLGA-Encapsulated Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles Delivering Capecitabine to Pancreatic Tumor

The discovery of specifically tailored therapeutic delivery systems has sparked the interest of pharmaceutical researchers considering improved therapeutic effectiveness and fewer adverse effects. The current study concentrates on the design and characterization of PLGA (polylactic-co-glycolic acid) capped mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN)-based systems for drug delivery for pH-sensitive controlled drug release in order to achieve a targeted drug release inside the acidic tumor microenvironment. The physicochemical properties of the nanoformulations were analyzed using TEM, zeta potential, AFM, TGA, FTIR, and BET analyses in addition to DLS size. The final formed PLGA-FoA-MSN-CAP and pure MSN had sizes within the therapeutic ranges of 164.5 ± 1.8 and 110.7 ± 2.2, respectively. Morphological characterization (TEM and AFM) and elemental analysis (FTIR and XPS) confirmed the proper capping and tagging of PLGA and folic acid (FoA). The PLGA-coated FoA-MSN exhibited a pH-dependent controlled release of the CAP (capecitabine) drug, showing efficient release at pH 6.8. Furthermore, the in vitro MTT test on PANC1 and MIAPaCa-2 resulted in an IC₅₀ value of 146.37 μg/ml and 105.90 μg/ml, respectively. Mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis was confirmed from the caspase-3 and annexin V/PI flow cytometry assay, which displayed a cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase. Overall, the results predicted that the designed nanoformulation is a potential therapeutic agent in treating pancreatic cancer.