Comprehensive Review of Mesoporous Carbon and Mesoporous Silica in Poorly Soluble Drug Delivery: Insights into Drug Loading, Dissolution, Stability, and Pharmacological Performance

Abstract

Abstract One of the major challenges in pharmaceutical drug development is the poor solubility of active compounds. Various strategies have been explored to improve drug solubility, including particle size reduction, crystal form modification, and amorphization. However, these approaches share a common limitation, namely poor physical stability. One promising alternative is the incorporation of drugs into mesoporous materials, which has been shown to improve the pharmaceutical properties of active compounds. The two most commonly studied materials are mesoporous carbon (MC) and mesoporous silica (MS). These materials are known to possess distinct structural and surface characteristics, which ultimately influence the drug delivery behavior of the loaded compounds. Although numerous studies have independently investigated drug delivery using mesoporous materials, direct comparisons between MC and MS remain limited. Therefore, this review aims to provide a comprehensive review of both materials, particularly in terms of their ability to improve the pharmaceutical performance of poorly soluble drugs. Based on the available literature, MC appears to offer higher drug loading efficiency and improved physical stability in many formulations, whereas MS is frequently associated with faster dissolution profiles. Both materials improve drug solubility to a comparable extent and have also demonstrated potential to enhance bioavailability and pharmacological performance. These differences are mainly attributed to surface chemistry, where MC enables strong π-π and hydrophobic interactions, while MS primarily interacts through hydrogen bonding. Overall, both materials offer complementary advantages and should be selected based on formulation goals. This study aligns primarily with SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being by advancing drug formulation technologies to improve the efficacy, stability, and delivery of essential therapeutics.