FORMULATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF MESOPOROUS SILICA NANOPARTICLES CONTAINING BACLOFEN FOR NEUROPATHIC PAIN MANAGEMENT

Neuropathic pain remains a challenging condition to treat due to limited efficacy and adverse effects of conventional therapies. Baclofen, a GABA‑B receptor agonist, is effective in reducing spasticity and neuropathic pain but suffers from poor bioavailability and rapid clearance. In this study, mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) were formulated via a sol‑gel method using varying concentrations of CTAB and TEOS, followed by baclofen loading through solvent immersion. The nanoparticles were characterized for particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, drug loading, and surface morphology. Results demonstrated particle sizes ranging from 251 to 736 nm, with PDI values <0.25, indicating uniformity. Drug loading efficiency ranged between 83.2–90.6%, with higher CTAB concentrations yielding smaller, more uniform particles and improved loading. In vitro release studies revealed sustained drug release, with smaller particles (S3, 251 nm) achieving 89.5% release at 24 h, while larger porous particles (S4, 736 nm) exhibited rapid release (100.8% at 16 h). Overall, formulation S3 emerged as optimal, combining high drug loading, uniform particle distribution, and controlled release. These findings suggest that baclofen‑loaded MSNs may serve as a promising nanocarrier system for sustained neuropathic pain management.