Drug Loaded Nanoparticles of Metal-Organic Frameworks with High Colloidal Stability for Anticancer Application

Nanoscale metal-organic frameworks are considered for drug delivery due to their ultrahigh porosity and intrinsic biodegradability. However, the poor colloidal dispersity of these nanocarriers in aqueous media has limited the further applications. In this study, a novel dextran-coated zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8/Dex) nanoparticle was synthesized. The hydrated dextran shell, which was linked to frameworks through coordination bonds, improved the dispersity of particle and reduced the side effects caused by rapid disintegration. Furthermore, this nanosystem with pH-sensitive property may serve as a vehicle of doxorubicin hydrochloride with high loading efficiency and controlling release behavior. Interestingly, the drug-loaded nanocomposite (DOX@ZIF-8/Dex) exhibited synergistic anticancer activity against human breast carcinoma multidrug resistant cells, effectively avoided the efflux effect and reduced P-glycoprotein expression. The successful preparation of such therapeutic platforms promotes the clinical application for anti-tumor therapy.