Metal Organic Framework@Polysilsesequioxane Core/Shell-Structured Nanoplatform for Drug Delivery

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Modern pharmaceutics demands drug carriers with high capacity, controlled release, stability, and biocompatibility.
• Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) offer high surface area and tunable pores but suffer from low stability and biocompatibility.
• Polysilsesquioxanes (PSQ) provide stability, inertness, and functionality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To fabricate and characterize MOFs/PSQ nanocomposites as advanced drug delivery platforms.
• To enhance the stability and biocompatibility of MOFs for biomedical applications.
• To evaluate the drug loading, release, and cytotoxicity of the developed nanocomposites.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of amine-functionalized MOF (UiO-66-NH2) nanoparticles.
• Encapsulation of MOF nanoparticles with an epoxy-functionalized polysilsesquioxane (EPSQ) layer.
• Drug loading studies using ibuprofen and controlled release assessments.
• Cytotoxicity evaluation using MTT assay on HeLa cells.

Main Results:

• Successfully fabricated UiO-66-NH2@EPSQ nanocomposites with enhanced stability.
• Demonstrated high drug loading capacity and well-controlled release of ibuprofen.
• Exhibited low cytotoxicity to HeLa cells across a concentration range of 10-100 µg/mL.

Conclusions:

• MOFs/PSQ nanocomposites represent a viable strategy to overcome MOF limitations in drug delivery.
• The UiO-66-NH2@EPSQ system shows significant potential as a stable and biocompatible drug carrier.
• This platform holds promise for the field of controlled drug delivery applications.