Amino-functionalized Zn metal organic frameworks as antitumor drug curcumin carriers

The tunability of their structure and function is why metal organic frameworks (MOFs) are widely used in drug carrier research. The modification of organic ligands can achieve the regulation of the functions and properties of MOFs. In our research, the amino-functionalized metal organic framework of Zn with 2-aminoterephthalate, IRMOF-3, was studied as an antitumor drug curcumin carrier. The nanoparticles can efficiently encapsulate the anticancer drug curcumin. IRMOFs and drug-loaded IRMOFs were characterized using different techniques. Furthermore, a simulated release test was carried out on the nanomedicine system in vitro. In addition, the drug loading and release activity has been compared with that of the isostructural amino-free MOF (IRMOF-1). The drug load capacity of IRMOF-3 (55.36%) is found to be significantly higher than that of IRMOF-1 (49.30%). And the cumulative release rate of curcumin from IRMOF-3 was slower than that from IRMOF-1. That is to say, IRMOF-3 has a more pronounced slow release behavior than IRMOF-1. The superior performance of IRMOF-3 has been attributed to the affinity between the side chain amino group and curcumin. Amino groups increase the affinity of the MOFs with curcumin, which can increase the drug loading capacity and slow the drug release rate. Also, the low cytotoxicity and good biocompatibility of the two materials were certified using an MTT assay. Thus, the addition of groups will have a certain effect on the drug loading performance of MOFs. We propose to synthesize different group-functionalized metal organic frameworks to obtain excellent drug carrier materials.