Design of core–shell mesoporous silica nanospheres as a delivery system of nimesulide – physicochemical and biological characterization

Sofiia Volosiuk; Sara Wasilewska; Karolina Wenelska; Elżbieta Czarniewska; Dariusz Wawrzyniak; Ewa Mijowska

doi:10.2478/pjct-2026-0007

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Design of core–shell mesoporous silica nanospheres as a delivery system of nimesulide – physicochemical and biological characterization

Green Sciences

Volume 28 (2026): Issue 1 (March 2026)

By: Sofiia Volosiuk , Sara Wasilewska , Karolina Wenelska , Elżbieta Czarniewska , Dariusz Wawrzyniak and Ewa Mijowska

Open Access

|Aug 2026

Abstract

Nimesulide (NMS) is an anti-inflammatory drug, yet its clinical utility is limited by its hydrophobic nature and risk of hepatotoxicity. This study aimed to develop and evaluate the bio-response of core–shell mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) as carriers to improve the solubility and safety profile of NMS. Three MSN variants were synthesized via a modified sol–gel process by varying reaction times and surfactant concentrations. All materials exhibited a well-defined spherical morphology consisting of a dense silica core and a highly ordered amorphous mesoporous shell. The sample with a shorter reaction time possessed the largest pore diameter, which facilitated the highest NMS loading capacity of 23.5 wt%, compared to 17–18 wt% for the 6 h variants. In vitro biological evaluation using the HepG2 liver cell line confirmed the high biocompatibility of the developed silica carriers, with no significant changes in cell morphology. The results demonstrate that core–shell MSNs are an effective platform for NMS.

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Articles in this issue

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/pjct-2026-0007 | Journal eISSN: 3072-0389 (formerly 1899-4741) | Journal ISSN: 1509-8117

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Language: English

Page range: 102 - 114

Submitted on: May 20, 2026

Accepted on: Jun 22, 2026

Published on: Aug 3, 2026

Published by: West Pomeranian University of Technology, Szczecin

In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services

Publication frequency: Volume open

Keywords:

Drug delivery systems,

HepG2 cell line,

Mesoporous silica nanoparticles,

Nimesulide

Related subjects:

Industrial chemistry,

Biotechnology,

Chemical engineering,

Process engineering

© 2026 Sofiia Volosiuk, Sara Wasilewska, Karolina Wenelska, Elżbieta Czarniewska, Dariusz Wawrzyniak, Ewa Mijowska, published by West Pomeranian University of Technology, Szczecin
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Volume 28 (2026): Issue 1 (March 2026)