Synthesis and characterization of 5-fluorocytosine intercalated Zn–Al layered double hydroxide

In this paper, the intercalation of 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC) into a layered inorganic host, Zn–Al layered double hydroxide (LDH), has been carried out using coprecipitation method to obtain 5-FC/LDH nanohybrids. The intercalated amount (AIn) of 5-FC into the LDH is remarkably dependent on the molar ratio (RF/M) of 5-FC to metal ions and the pH of coprecipitation system. The morphology of 5-FC molecules in 5-FC/LDH nanohybrids is dependent on the AIn. It is interestingly found that the morphology of the nanohybrid particles may be changed with the increase of RF/M from hexagonal plate particles to threadlike particles. The in vitro drug release from the nanohybrids is remarkably lower than that from the corresponding physical mixture and pristine 5-FC at either pH 4.8 or pH 7.5. In addition, the release rate of 5-FC from the nanohybrid at pH 7.5 is remarkably lower than that at pH 4.8, this is due to a possible difference in the release mechanism. The obtained results show these drug-inorganic nanohybrids can be used as a potential drug delivery system.