pH-controlled delivery of curcumin from a compartmentalized solid lipid nanoparticle@mesostructured silica matrix.

Silicalization of curcumin-loaded solid lipid nanoparticle (SLN)/micelle dispersions afforded a compartmentalized nanovector, with both macro- and mesostructured domains. SLNs act as reservoirs of curcumin (CU), while mesopores act as pathways to control drug release. Moreover, the release sustainability depends on the nature of the solid lipid (cetyl palmitate vs. stearic acid) and on the pH of the receiving phase. The meso-macrostructured silica matrix templated by SLNs appears thus as a promising drug delivery system for pH-responsive controlled release.