Tannic acid-templated mesoporous silica nanoparticles as an effective treatment in acute ferrous sulfate poisoning

In the present study, four types of Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles (MSNs) were synthesized by two different synthesis methods using Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) or tannic acid as templating agents. Two of the 4 types of synthesized MSNs were functionalized with an amine group whereas the other two remained non-functionalized. Structure and functional groups of the MSNs were determined by Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrometry, elemental analysis (CHN) and Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). In addition to the evaluation of morphological aspects using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), the hydrodynamic dimensions of the MSNs were also evaluated by dynamic light scattering (DLS). The MSNs were monodispersed and spherical in shape, with approximate size of 100–260 nm. The pore sizes of the nanoparticles ranged from 4 to 5.5 nm, and the surface areas were around 370–740 m2/g. In the initial phase, the in vitro adsorption capacity of the synthesized nanoparticles for ferrous sulfate was assessed. Subsequently, the most effective nanoparticle, tannic acid-templated MSNs with amine group (TA-MSN-NH2), with the maximum adsorption capacity (29.06 (mg/g)) was selected for further in vivo study. In vivo analysis showed that 1 g/kg of TA-MSN-NH2 could be utilized to promote the adsorption of iron in acute oral toxicity with 100 mg/kg of ferrous sulfate. [Display omitted] •Tannic acid-templated mesoporous silica nanoparticles with amine group (TA-MSN-NH2) were synthesized.•TA-MSN-NH2 can effectively reduce serum iron in poisoned rats.•It seems that TA-MSN-NH2 could be used as an effective adsorbent for acute iron poisoning.