Work

A dual drug delivery system based on pH-sensitive metal-organic frameworks: Synthesis, characterization, in vitro release and anticancer effect

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) is a metal-organic framework(MOF) that decomposes rapidly in tumor cells and other low-pH situations, but maintains structural stability under neutral physiological conditions. Here, a nanoscale dual medication delivery system, OR@ZIF-8, was successfully designed, which was prepared with good morphology and uniform particle size, and could successfully load both Oridonin (Ori) and Resveratrol (Res) drugs, especially with a high drug loading capacity of Ori. The in vitro release of OR@ZIF-8 demonstrated pH sensitivity, showing slow release under neutral conditions and rapid release in weakly acidic environments. Anti-tumor tests showed that the nano particles of ZIF-8 showed low cytotoxicity, while OR@ZIF-8 showed high cytotoxicity to KYSE140 cells compared with free Ori and Ori@ZIF-8 at the same dosage of Ori. These findings suggest that the pH-responsive nanoscale OR@ZIF-8 system holds promise as an effective technique for targeted drug delivery to cancer cells.

Source: Results in Chemistry

DOI: 10.1016/j.rechem.2025.102793

Authors: Chenchen Lu, Mingming Weng, Jin Lu, Shuai Kong, Jingyi Shen

Institutions: Bengbu Medical College, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science

Language: English

Topic: Metal-Organic Frameworks: Synthesis and Applications

Subfield: Inorganic Chemistry

Field: Chemistry

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,870