Controllled release of metropolol tartrate from nanoporous silica matrices

A series of nanoporous silica matrices (a silica gel matrix and two ordered mesoporous silica) have been investigated as potential carriers for the controlled release of metoporolol tartrate a selective β1 receptor blocker used in the treatment of several diseases of the cardiovascular system. Particular attention was devoted to the optimization of a reproducible and fast synthetic procedure. The morphology, structure and chemical nature of the porous surfaces were characterized by N2 physisorption, X-ray diffraction, HR-TEM and FT-IR analyses. The delivery profiles were collected in vitro in physiological solution a pH 7.4. We have observed a close correlation between the drug release kinetic and the textural properties of the carriers in particular with their pore size dimension.