Evaluation of the effect of nanoporous nanorods Zn2(bdc)2(dabco) dimension on ibuprofen loading and release

This work presents an experimental investigation of drug loading in metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). Porous metal organic framework [Zn2(bdc)2(dabco)] was synthesized under solvothermal conditions. Characterization of samples was studied by IR spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, N2 adsorption porosimetry and scanning electron microscopy. In vitro cytotoxicity assessment and IC50 values for the human hepatoma cell (HuH7) was determined by MTT assay. Two different sizes of Zn2(bdc)2(dabco) were prepared by solvothermal method under the presence and absence of modulator. The prepared samples were used for ibuprofen loading. Ibuprofen loadings of 22 and 30 % (w/w) were obtained for samples with average diagonal sizes of 250 and 100 nm, respectively. The release of ibuprofen from these materials was prolonged for 2 and 3 weeks for 250 and 100 nm samples, respectively. The results obtained in this study revealed that two significant factors, surface area and pore size, affect ibuprofen drug loading and release.