Targeted Drug Delivery Using 5-Fluorouracil Loaded Porous Silica Nanoparticles for Enhanced Osteosarcoma Treatment: An In Vitro Study on the MG-63 Cell Line

Abstract

Background: Osteosarcoma is a highly aggressive bone cancer, and effective drug delivery systems are crucial for enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of anticancer agents like 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU). Porous silica nanoparticles (PSNs) offer a promising solution for targeted drug delivery due to their high surface area, larger pore sizes, and high biocompatibility.this aids in sustained drug release. Objective: This study aimed to synthesize 5-FU-loaded PSNs and evaluate their potential as an effective drug delivery system for the treatment of osteosarcoma, focusing on their cytotoxic effects on MG-63 osteosarcoma cells. Materials and Methods: 5-FU was incorporated into PSNs using the sol-gel method. Characterization of the synthesized nanoparticles was performed through Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX), and UV-Visible spectroscopy. The cytotoxic effects of the 5-FU-loaded PSNs were assessed using MTT assays at 24, 48, and 72 hours post-treatment. Results: SEM analysis revealed irregularly shaped agglomerates of PSNs with sizes ranging from 500 nm to 2 µm, confirming successful drug loading. EDX analysis demonstrated the presence of key elements, including fluorine, indicating the incorporation of 5-FU. MTT assay results indicated a time-dependent decrease in cell viability, with the PSN 5-FU group showing significant cytotoxicity (79% viability at 72 hours) compared to the control group (100% viability). Conclusion: The study demonstrates that 5-FU-loaded PSNs effectively inhibit the proliferation of MG-63 osteosarcoma cells, supporting their potential as a novel drug delivery system for enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of 5-FU in osteosarcoma treatment. Future research should focus on optimizing the formulation and evaluating in vivo efficacy.