Efficient delivery of fucoxanthin using alginate oligosaccharide-coated mesoporous silica

Fucoxanthin (FX) is a hydrophobic drug with potential antitumor activity. The main challenge with using fucoxanthin as a therapeutic agent is its low bioavailability and poor physicochemical stability. To overcome these limitations, we designed a pH-targeted delivery system using alginate oligosaccharide-encapsulated aminated mesoporous silica (nMSN-FX-ALG). The drug release experiments indicated that nMSN-FX-ALG exhibited a high drug delivery efficiency. Under physiological environment at pH 5.5, the cumulative release rate of FX from nMSN-FX-ALG system reached 73.6% after 24 hours, demonstrating its pH-responsive drug release capability. This confirmed that nMSN-FX-ALG could achieve targeted drug release in tumor cells. Meanwhile, nMSN-FX-ALG markedly enhanced the inhibitory effect on HCT116 cells, reducing cell viability to 50%. Furthermore, the system exhibited a notable therapeutic effect, suggesting its potential for tumor treatment. This research provides valuable insights and guidance for the targeted delivery of fucoxanthin, offering promising prospects for its application in the field of tumor treatment.