Macromolecules on nano-outlets responding to electric field and pH for dual-mode drug delivery

Macromolecules responsive to both electric field and pH are modified on the outlets of mesoporous silica nanospheres to form a novel dual-mode drug delivery system. Dual drug delivery modes are indicated by the release patterns obtained by simulating the body's gastric and intestinal fluid ex vivo. In a pH 1.4 release medium (simulated gastric fluid, SGF) without an alternating electric field, only 8.5% of the total payload is found to leach in 8 h, whereas 50.3% and 60.2% of the total payload are released in the same time period by elevating the pH of the release medium or applying an alternating electric field. The two stimuli signals can work independently or corporately to regulate the release kinetics to form a dual-mode drug delivery mechanism, which makes it more flexible for use in certain complicated situations.