Folic Acid Conjugated Chitosan Coated Zeolite Imidazole Framework-8 (ZIF-8): A pH-Responsive Drug Delivery System for the Sustained and Targeted Delivery of Curcumin

Abstract

This study explores the development of a pH-responsive drug delivery system using folic acid (FA) conjugated chitosan (CS) coated curcumin (Curn) encapsulated in zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) for targeted cancer therapy. The synthesis of FA@CS-coated Curn@ZIF-8 was done through a series of chemical reactions, and the resulting nanocarrier was characterized using UV–vis spectroscopy, FT-IR, PXRD, SEM, and N₂ adsorption–desorption isotherms. The UV–vis and FT-IR analyses confirmed the effective encapsulation of Curn in the ZIF-8 framework, while SEM and N₂ adsorption studies revealed changes in morphology and porosity. In vitro drug release studies demonstrated that the FA@CS coating significantly enhanced controlled drug release under acidic conditions, mimicking the tumor microenvironment. The MTT assay and microscopic observations indicated a substantial reduction in MCF-7 cell viability, showing the system's potent anticancer efficacy. This pH-responsive drug delivery platform offers promising advancements in targeted therapy, with potential benefits for minimizing off-target effects and improving treatment outcomes in cancer therapy.