Fabrication of acorn-shaped Janus C-SiO2 carrier and their application in DOX release

Asymmetric nanocarriers with different functions can achieve synergistic effect in cancer treatment. In this study, asymmetric carbon-silica (C-SiO 2 ) carriers were prepared for drug delivery and combining therapy. The C-SiO 2 carriers presented acorn-like structure with dendritic mesoporous silica hat and carbon body. The carbon body render the carriers photothermal effect. The prepared C-SiO 2 carriers with size around 130 nm have improving cell uptake efficiency, and excellent biocompatibility. After loading doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX), menthol (LM) was used to seal the loaded drug (DOX@C-SiO 2 -LM). LM coating can melt above the phase transition temperature, leading to the release of loaded cargo. The DOX@C-SiO 2 -LM displayed temperature/NIR-triggered drug release.