Acetylcholine-triggered cargo release from supramolecular nanovalves based on different macrocyclic receptors

Abstract

Acetylcholine (ACh), a neurotransmitter located in cholinergic synapses, can trigger cargo release from mesoporous silica nanoparticles equipped with calixarene- or pillarene-based nanovalves by removing macrocycles from the stalk components. The amount and speed of cargo release can be controlled by varying the concentration of ACh in solution or changing the type of gating macrocycle. Although this proof-of-concept study is far from a real-life application, it provides a possible route to treat diseases related to the central nervous system.

Keywords: acetylcholine; drug delivery; macrocyclic chemistry; mesoporous materials; silica nanoparticles.