Generation of versatile titania-silica nano-vehicles using dual templates exploiting as tunable drug releaser

In a new approach, a series of nanoporous TiO2-SiO2 systems (NTSn (n = 1–5)) were synthesized with various Ti/Si ratios via one step hydrothermal process in the presence of P123 and tetrabutylammonium bromide (TBAB) as dual templating agents. Then, simvastatin (SV) as a model drug was incorporated into the prepared mesoporous matrixes (NTS@SV). Wide-angle X-ray diffraction data (WAXRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Raman spectroscopy, N2 adsorption-desorption isotherms, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and zeta potential (ζ) measurement were used for the characterization of the prepared samples. It was found that the variation of Ti percent and attendance of both TBAB & P123 in the synthesis condition led to high pore volume (0.6–1.2 cm3 g-1), high surface area (187–656 m2 g-1), a wide range of pore sizes (5–13 nm) and surface zeta potential charge (−16 to −24 mV) of the prepared samples. These diversities made wide opportunities for new NTS@SV to exhibit the vast drug-release profiles in simulated gastric fluid (SGF, pH = 1.2) and simulated intestinal fluid (SIF, pH = 6.8) at 37 °C. In vitro drug release indicated that the sample prepared in the presence of both TBAB and P123 with Ti/Si = 1 represented maximum release of SV (ζ = −18 mV) equal to 77 and 100% in SGF and SIF media, respectively. SH-SY5Y cell viability was tested against the toxic background of parkinsonian toxin 6-OHDA upon cell exposure to NTS3@SV. Results demonstrated cell exposure to NTS3@SV neutralized 6-OHDA toxicity and enhanced cell survival significantly. [Display omitted] •Synthesizing diverse molar ratios of high surface area nano TiO2-SiO2 drug carriers.•Utilizing TBAB-P123 dual template for fabricating the nano composites.•Insoluble simvastatin become sustained-release up to 100% by the new carriers.•Effect of carrier-drug charge differences (Δζ (ζNTS - ζSV)) on release profile.•Inducing the cell viability of SH-SY5Y in the MTT assay for the best nano drug.