Description
Mesoporous silicon and silica-based particles have recently been synthesized and proposed for
the controlled delivery of several drugs [1,2]. On the other hand, nature and in particular marine
organisms have been the source and inspiration for the development of different biomedical
applications, including drug delivery devices [3]. On the border of both rests diatoms
exoskeletons, nature-made porous silica-based microparticles with amazing morphological
features, promising a high potential in drug delivery. Nevertheless, its safety and drug
permeability on oral formulations have not yet been studied. In this study, we have demonstrated
that diatoms silica microparticles (DSM) have almost no toxicity in colon cancer cells Caco-2, HT-
29, HCT-116 and Caco-2/HT-29, even at concentrations as high as 1000 μg/mL. Moreover, the
delivery profile of two common drugs to address gastrointestinal diseases, mesalamine (antiinflammatory)
and prednisone (glucocorticosteroid). DSMs are able to release prednisone in a
controlled manner and change its absorption pattern, which may improve the safety of its
administration. In addition, DSMs can enhance the permeation of mesalamine. These results
confirm the potential of DSMs for the development of oral formulations for the therapy of
gastrointestinal diseases.
; Shahbazi, M. A. 
