Oral Curcumin through Mesoporous Silica Nanomaterials with Distinct Morphologies: Synthesis, Characterization, Biosafety Evaluation, and Antioxidant Activity <i>In Vivo</i>

Antioxidant play a crucial role in the prevention and treatment of diseases associated with oxidative stress. Curcumin (CUR), as a natural antioxidant, exhibits numerous therapeutic properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antitumor activities. However, its limited bioavailability and poor water solubility hinder its application as an effective antioxidant. In this study, a series of mesoporous silica nanomaterials with distinct morphologies, i.e., mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) and mesoporous silica nanorods (MSR) were synthesized by a template-sediment-etching method. CUR was selected as a model drug and encapsulated into these nanomaterials to improve its bioavailability <i>in vivo</i>. The morphology and size distribution of MSN and MSR were determined through transmission electron microscopy (TEM) imaging and Zetasizer analysis. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra confirmed the successful encapsulation of CUR within these nanomaterials. Furthermore, these CUR-loaded silica nanomaterials, denoted as CUR@MSN and CUR@MSR, exhibited excellent DPPH and ABTS free radical scavenging activity <i>in vitro</i>. Furthermore, CUR@MSN and CUR@MSR also exhibited obvious <i>in vivo</i> antioxidant activity. This study opens up new avenues for the development of enhanced antioxidants through the utilization of mesoporous silica nanomaterials.