Synthesis and characterization of biological macromolecules double emulsion based on carboxymethylcellulose/gelatin hydrogel incorporated with ZIF-8 as metal organic frameworks for sustained anti-cancer drug release

The field of nanotechnology has introduced novel prospects for drug delivery systems, which have the potential to supplant conventional chemotherapy with reduced adverse effects. Despite being a promising porous material, ZIF-8, a metal-organic framework, tends to agglomerate in water, which limits its applicability. In order to resolve this problem, we added ZIF-8 to hydrogels consisting of gelatin and carboxymethylcellulose. This improved their mechanical strength and stability while avoiding aggregation. We utilized double emulsions with the hydrogels' biological macromolecules to construct drug carriers with enhanced control over drug release. The nanocarriers were subjected to various analytical techniques for characterization, such as Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), zeta potential, and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The findings of our study revealed that the mean size of the produced nanocarriers were 250 nm, and their zeta potential was -40.1 mV, which suggests favorable stability. The synthesized nanocarriers were found to exhibit cytotoxicity towards cancer cells, as evidenced by the results of MTT assays and flow cytometry tests. The cell viability percentage was determined to be 55 % for the prepared nanomedicine versus 70 % for the free drug. In summary, our study illustrates that the integration of ZIF-8 into hydrogels produces drug delivery systems with improved characteristics. Furthermore, the prepared nanocarriers exhibit potential for future investigation and advancement.

Automated summary

The field of nanotechnology has opened up new possibilities for drug delivery systems, reducing the side effects of conventional chemotherapy. ZIF-8, a promising porous material, tends to aggregate in water, limiting its usefulness. By incorporating ZIF-8 into hydrogels made of gelatin and carboxymethylcellulose, we improved their mechanical strength and stability without aggregation. We used double emulsions with the hydrogels and biological macromolecules to create drug carriers with precise control over drug release. Characterization techniques confirmed the stability of the nanocarriers, which showed cytotoxicity against cancer cells and potential for further investigation.