Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 21, 2025
10:16
Targeted Plasma Membrane Delivery of a Hydrophobic Cargo Encapsulated in a Liquid Crystal Nanoparticle Carrier
Published on: February 8, 2017
7.8K
ZnO-DOX@ZIF-8 Core-Shell Nanoparticles for pH-Responsive Drug Delivery
Cunchuan Zheng1,2, Yang Wang2, Soo Zeng Fiona Phua2
1College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest Petroleum University, No. 8 Xindu Road, Chengdu 610500, P. R. China.
ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering
|January 15, 2021
Summary
Researchers developed pH-responsive ZnO-DOX@ZIF-8 core-shell nanoparticles for cancer therapy. These nanoparticles efficiently deliver doxorubicin (DOX) to cancer cells, releasing it in acidic environments for synergistic treatment with minimal release at physiological pH.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Developing effective drug delivery systems for cancer therapy is crucial.
- Controlled and targeted release of anticancer drugs can improve efficacy and reduce side effects.
- Hybrid nanosystems offer potential for multifunctional drug delivery applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prepare and characterize hierarchical core-shell nanoparticles (ZnO-DOX@ZIF-8) for pH-responsive drug delivery.
- To evaluate the drug loading, release kinetics, and cellular uptake of the developed nanosystem.
- To assess the in vitro cytotoxicity and therapeutic efficacy for cancer treatment.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of mesoporous ZnO nanoparticles and loading of doxorubicin (DOX).
- Formation of ZnO-DOX@ZIF-8 core-shell nanoparticles via reaction with 2-methylimidazole.
- Characterization of nanoparticle properties, including dispersibility, stability, and pH-responsive release.
- Confocal microscopy for cellular uptake studies and in vitro cytotoxicity assays.
Main Results:
- Hierarchical ZnO-DOX@ZIF-8 core-shell nanoparticles were successfully synthesized.
- The nanoparticles demonstrated pH-responsive drug release, with significant release at pH 5.5 and minimal release at pH 7.4.
- Efficient cellular internalization and intracellular drug release were observed in cancer cells.
- The nanosystem exhibited synergistic anticancer effects through reactive oxygen species generation and DOX release in acidic conditions.
Conclusions:
- ZnO-DOX@ZIF-8 core-shell nanoparticles represent a promising pH-responsive drug delivery system for cancer therapy.
- The system offers controlled release of doxorubicin and enhanced therapeutic efficacy under acidic tumor microenvironments.
- The nanoparticles are stable and non-toxic in physiological conditions, indicating good biocompatibility.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:16Drug Delivery: Overview
563
The selection of a drug's delivery route depends upon its physicochemical properties, including lipid or water solubility and ionization, as well as the therapeutic requirement, such as immediate or sustained effect. These routes can be divided into three primary categories: enteral, parenteral, and topical.
Enteral delivery involves administering drugs directly through swallowing, sublingual placement, or buccal application. Orally administered drugs predominantly navigate the...
Enteral delivery involves administering drugs directly through swallowing, sublingual placement, or buccal application. Orally administered drugs predominantly navigate the...
563
01:22Drug Delivery: Miscellaneous Routes
605
Drug delivery methods like oral inhalation, nasal sprays, transdermal patches, eye drops, intravitreal injection, and rectal administration provide localized effects with reduced toxicity.
Oral inhalation and nasal sprays swiftly transfer drugs across the respiratory epithelium's mucosal layer. Inhaled glucocorticoids and bronchodilators directly target lung conditions such as asthma, while fluticasone nasal spray mitigates allergic rhinitis.
Transdermal patches transport drugs...
Oral inhalation and nasal sprays swiftly transfer drugs across the respiratory epithelium's mucosal layer. Inhaled glucocorticoids and bronchodilators directly target lung conditions such as asthma, while fluticasone nasal spray mitigates allergic rhinitis.
Transdermal patches transport drugs...
605
01:29Drug Delivery: Parenteral Route
1.2K
The parenteral route is a critical method of drug administration. It delivers compounds directly into the systemic circulation and bypasses the gastrointestinal tract. This approach is particularly advantageous for drugs that exhibit poor absorption or instability when administered orally.
There are three primary parenteral routes: intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM), and subcutaneous (SC). The IV route introduces the drug directly into the bloodstream, ensuring immediate action. The IM route...
There are three primary parenteral routes: intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM), and subcutaneous (SC). The IV route introduces the drug directly into the bloodstream, ensuring immediate action. The IM route...
1.2K