Novel γ-cyclodextrin-metal-organic frameworks for encapsulation of curcumin with improved loading capacity, physicochemical stability and controlled release properties

A safe and biodegradable gamma-cyclodextrin-metal-organic-frameworks (gamma-CD-MOFs) was successfully synthesized by using an improved hydrothermal method. In this study, curcumin (Cur) was chosen for testing the encapsulation stability and release performance of gamma-CD-MOFs. Results of the crystal structure measurement indicated that the encapsulated curcumin within gamma-CD-MOFs via van der Waals forces, hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonding was failed to disturb the inherent microtopography and crystallinity of gamma-CD-MOFs. Compared to individual gamma-CD, the gamma-CD-MOFs exhibited improved loading capacity, physicochemical stability as well as controlled-release property in simulated digestion, and hence can be regarded as effective carriers for curcumin. Curcumin-loaded gamma-CD-MOFs with a Cur : gamma-CD-MOFs mass ratio of 2:3 (Cur-CD-MOFs/3), which showed the highest encapsulation efficiency (67.31 +/- 2.25%), improved physicochemical stability and controlled-release performance, was selected for further research and industrialization. Our results demonstrate that gamma-CD-MOFs can be regarded as a promising novel carrier for the delivery of curcumin or other hydrophobic nutraceuticals.

Automated summary

A safe and biodegradable gamma-cyclodextrin-metal-organic-frameworks (gamma-CD-MOFs) was successfully synthesized and tested for curcumin encapsulation stability and release performance. Results show that gamma-CD-MOFs can be regarded as promising carriers for the delivery of curcumin or other hydrophobic nutraceuticals.