Development of novel combined nano delivery system to improve cellular uptake of weakly basic anticancer drugs and cell imaging

In this dissertation, different types of nanoconstructs, including MSNPs and liposomes were fabricated for the development of an advanced drug delivery system which can deliver both hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs to the tumor cells with better efficacy and biocompatibility and minimized side effects to healthy tissues. The candidature of MSNPs as nanocarriers with potential features, supported with lipid layer was explained in introduction part along with their merits and demerits. The combined effects of liposomes and MSNPs in sustained release or stimuli responsive drug delivery systems equipped with literature were highlighted. This project was mainly divided in to four major parts where nanocarriers were characterized and further evaluated for in-vitro analysis under different conditions such as normoxia and hypoxia. In the first part, MSNPs of different molar mass ratios of surfactant/silica were fabricated. The parameters which can affect the particle size distribution, were evaluated. These MSNPs for their physicochemical properties were initially characterized by Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) for size distribution and Laser Doppler Velocimetry (LDV) for surface charge. The removal of surfactant for the generation of porous structure, was evaluated with elemental analysis and surface charge. Surface area characterization of MSNPs were evaluated with nitrogen sorption desorption method, where the suface area and surface volume were influence by duration of extraction for surfactant removal. The morphological structures were characterized by different microscopies involving Atomic Force Microscopy and Electron microscopies. The morphological studies performed with AFM were in accordance to the size distribution obtained by DLS. The porous structure of MSNPs was observed with electron microscopies. Tranmission electron microscopy (TEM) has shown that the MSNPs are more or less round in shape with ordered porous structure. The pore size evaluated with TEM was the same as it was characterized with ...