Tunable arrangement of hydrogel and cyclodextrin-based metal organic frameworks suitable for drug encapsulation and release

Constructing and characterization of cyclodextrin metal organic framework and soybean hull polysaccharide polymer composite carriers: Enhancing curcumin delivery

This study aims to create composite carriers by combining cyclodextrin metal organic frameworks (CD-MOFs) with soybean hull polysaccharide (SHP) polymers for enhanced performance. A cubic structured composite carrier was successfully synthesized, exhibiting potential for delivering functional factors. Interaction between cyclodextrin (CD) and SHP was predominantly driven by hydrogen bonding forces, as evidenced by Fourier transform infrared spectroscope (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy. Characterization methods such as Powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and FTIR confirmed successful encapsulation of Curcumin (Cur) within γ-CD-MOF@SHP. At 35 °C, with a Cur to carrier mass ratio of 1:3, loading efficiency improved after 24 h of immersion. SHP demonstrated a protective effect on Cur, reducing release in the stomach while maximizing release in the intestine, thus enhancing Cur utilization. Additionally, γ-CD-MOF composites were shown to stabilize functional factors and regulate their release. Overall, the combination of MOFs and polymers holds promise for functional factor delivery.

Advances in the preparation and application of cyclodextrin derivatives in food and the related fields

Cyclodextrin (CD) derivatives have recently gained worldwide attention, which have versatile advantages and restrained the defects of parent CDs. The superior properties of CD derivatives in encapsulation, stabilization, and solubilization facilitate their application in food, biomedicine, daily chemicals, and textiles. In this review, the preparation, classification, and main benefits of CD derivatives are systematically introduced. By introducing targeted groups into the parent CD molecule, they exhibit significant improvement in their required characteristic. Besides, the important point closely related to application, the safety assessment, has also been highlighted. Most tested CD derivatives have been verified to be relatively safe in a limited dosage. Then, the applications of CD derivatives have been described in detail from the food to its related field. In food field, CD derivatives play an important role in the stability and bioavailability of bioactive compounds, control flavor release, and improve the antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of packaging materials. These advantages can also be expanded to the related field, offering innovative solutions that enhance product quality, human health, and environmental sustainability. This review highlights the broad applications and potential of CD derivatives, underscoring their role in driving advancements across multiple industries.

Cyclodextrin metal-organic framework@SiO2 nanocomposites for poorly soluble drug loading and release

The development of non-toxic drug carrier materials with high loading capacity, sustained release properties, stability, and biocompatibility holds significant medical value and potential for loading and releasing poorly soluble drugs. In this study, we synthesized a biocompatible, non-toxic, environmentally friendly CD-MOF porous material with high specific surface area and tunable structure. By incorporating SiO2 to enhance the stability of MOF materials, the synthesized CD-MOF@SiO2 material shows promising applications in drug delivery. The obtained CD-MOF@SiO2 nanocomposite was utilized as a carrier for the poorly soluble drug, folic acid. Characterization of the drug-loaded composite before and after drug loading was performed using scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, N2 adsorption-desorption, and X-ray diffraction analyses, showing improved stability as indicated by thermogravimetric analysis and derivative thermogravimetry data. UV spectrophotometry was used to investigate the loading and sustained release of folic acid under different conditions in PBS buffer, demonstrating that the well-structured CD-MOF@SiO2 material exhibits high drug loading and controllable release properties. The CD-MOF@SiO2 achieved a high drug loading efficiency (166.78%) and encapsulation rate (83.39%) for folic acid, leading to a significant increase in apparent solubility from 1.6 μg mL-1 in its free form to 21.74 mg mL-1, a 13 588-fold expansion. This work presents a novel, efficient, and highly valuable approach for the development of carrier materials for loading and releasing poorly soluble drugs.

Exploring Synthesis Strategies and Interactions between MOFs and Drugs for Controlled Drug Loading and Release, Characterizing Interactions through Advanced Techniques

This study explores various aspects of Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs), focusing on synthesis techniques to adjust pore size and key ligands and metals for crafting carrier MOFs. It investigates MOF-drug interactions, including hydrogen bonding, van der Waals, and electrostatic interactions, along with kinetic studies. The multifaceted applications of MOFs in drug delivery systems are elucidated. The morphology and structure of MOFs are intricately linked to synthesis methodology, impacting attributes like crystallinity, porosity, and surface area. Hydrothermal synthesis yields MOFs with high crystallinity, suitable for catalytic applications, while solvothermal synthesis generates MOFs with increased porosity, ideal for gas and liquid adsorption. Understanding MOF-drug interactions is crucial for optimizing drug delivery, affecting charge capacity, stability, and therapeutic efficacy. Kinetic studies determine drug release rates and uniformity, vital for controlled drug delivery. Overall, comprehending drug-MOF interactions and kinetics is essential for developing effective and controllable drug delivery systems.

pH-responsive Aminated mesoporous silica microspheres modified with soybean hull polysaccharides for curcumin encapsulation and controlled release

Mesoporous silica microspheres (MSMs) possess poor biocompatibility. This study focuses on integrating MSMs with polymers to obtain hybrid materials with superior performance compared to the individual components and responsive release in specific environments. The synthesized MSMs were aminated, and subsequently, soybean hull polysaccharide (SHPs) was modified onto MSMs-NH2 to produce MSMs-NH2@SHPs nanoparticles. The encapsulation rate, loading rate of curcumin (Cur), and in vitro release behavior were investigated. Results indicated that the encapsulation efficiency of Cur by MSMs-NH2@SHPs nanoparticles reached 75.58%, 6.95 times that of MSMs-NH2 with a load capacity of 35.12%. It is noteworthy that these nanoparticles exhibit pH-responsive release capacity in vitro. The cumulative release rate of the three nanoparticles at pH 5.0 was higher than that at pH 7.4. MSMs-NH2@SHPs had a cumulative release rate of 56.55% at pH 7.4, increasing to 76.21% at pH 5.0. In vitro experiments have shown that MSMs-based nanoparticles have high delivery efficiency and can achieve pH-sensitive drug release, with a high release rate in a slightly acidic acid, highlighting the potential for controlled release of Cur.

Application of metal-organic framework materials in regenerative medicine

In the past few decades, scaffolds manufactured from composite or hybrid biomaterials of natural or synthetic origin have made great strides in enhancing wound healing and repairing fractures and pathological bone loss. However, the prevailing use of such scaffolds in tissue engineering is accompanied by numerous constraints, including low mechanical stability, poor biological activity, and impaired cell proliferation and differentiation. The performance of scaffolds in wound and bone tissue engineering may be enhanced by some modifications in the synthesis of nanoscale metal-organic framework (nano-MOF) scaffolds. Nano-MOFs have attracted researchers' attention in recent years due to their distinctive features, which include tenability, biocompatibility, good mechanical stability, and ultrahigh surface area. The biological properties of scaffolds are enhanced and tissue regeneration is facilitated by the introduction of nano-MOFs. Moreover, the physicochemical characteristics, drug loading, and ion release capacities of the scaffolds are improved by the nanoscale structure and topological features of nano-MOFs, which also control stem cell differentiation, proliferation, and attachment. This review provides further comprehensive detail about the most recent uses of nano-MOFs in tissue engineering. The distinct characteristics of nano-MOFs are explored in enhancing tissue repair, wound healing, osteoinduction, and bone conductivity. Significant attributes include high antibacterial activity, substantial drug-loading capacity, and the ability to regulate drug release. Finally, this discussion addresses the obstacles, clinical impediments, and considerations encountered in the application of these nanomaterials to diverse scaffolds, tissue-mimicking structures, dressings, fillers, and implants for bone tissue repair and wound healing.

Mimosa/quince seed mucilage-co-poly (methacrylate) hydrogels for controlled delivery of capecitabine: Simulation studies, characterization and toxicological evaluation

This research focused on developing pH-regulated intelligent networks using quince and mimosa seed mucilage through aqueous polymerization to sustain Capecitabine release while overcoming issues like short half-life, high dosing frequency, and low bioavailability. The resulting MSM/QSM-co-poly(MAA) hydrogel was evaluated for several parameters, including complex structure formation, stability, pH sensitivity, morphology, and elemental composition. FTIR, DSC, and TGA analyses confirmed the formation of a stable, complex cross-linked network, demonstrating excellent stability at elevated temperatures. SEM analysis revealed the hydrogels' smooth, fine texture with porous surfaces. PXRD and EDX results indicated the amorphous dispersion of Capecitabine within the network. The QMM9 formulation achieved an optimal Capecitabine loading of 87.17 %. The gel content of the developed formulations ranged from 65.21 % to 90.23 %. All formulations exhibited excellent swelling behavior, with ratios between 65.91 % and 91.93 % at alkaline pH. In vitro dissolution studies indicated that up to 98 % of Capecitabine was released after 24 h at pH 7.4, demonstrating the potential for sustained release. Furthermore, toxicological evaluation in healthy rabbits confirmed the system's safety, non-toxicity, and biocompatibility.

Thermosensitive hydrogel with programmed dual-octenidine release combating biofilm for the treatment of apical periodontitis

The utilization of intracanal medicaments is an indispensable procedure in root-canal treatment. However, the conventional intracanal medicaments still need improvement regarding antimicrobial efficacy and ease of clinical operation. To address the above issues, OCT/PECT@OCT + ALK composite hydrogel characterized by programming sequential release of dual antimicrobial agents has been proposed. Thanks to the self-assemble ability of amphiphilic copolymer poly(ε-caprolactone-co-1,4,8-trioxa [4.6]spiro-9-undecanone)-poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(ε-caprolactone-co-1,4,8-trioxa[4.6]spiro-9-undecanone) (PECT), dual hydrophilic and hydrophobic antimicrobial agents could be easily encapsulated in the hydrogel system and tailored for sequential drug release for a better antibiofilm effect. The hydrophilic octenidine (Octenidine dihydrochloride, OCT-HCl) is encapsulated in the hydrophilic part of hydrogel for instantaneous elevating the drug concentration through bursting release, and the hydrophobic octenidine (Octenidine, OCT) is further loaded into the PECT nanoparticles to achieve a slower and sustained-release profile. Additionally, calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) was incorporated into the system and evenly dispersed among PECT nanoparticles to create an alkaline (ALK) environment, synergistically enhancing the antibiofilm effect with higher efficiency and prolonged duration. The antibiofilm effect has been demonstrated in root-canal models and apical periodontitis rats, exhibiting superior performance compared to clinically used Ca(OH)2 paste. This study demonstrates that OCT/PECT@OCT + ALK composite thermosensitive hydrogel is a potential intracanal medicament with excellent antibiofilm effect and clinical operability.

Efficient hemicellulose removal from lignocellulose by induced electric field-aided dilute acid pretreatment

This study evaluated the effectiveness of induced electric field (IEF) as a novel electrotechnology to assist dilute acid pretreatment of wheat straw (WS) at atmospheric pressure and low temperature (90 °C). The effects of acid concentration and duration on cellulose recovery, hemicellulose and lignin removal were investigated. Meanwhile, the differences between IEF pretreatment and hydrothermal pretreatment were compared by quantitative and qualitative analysis. The optimal pretreatment condition was acid concentration 1 % with the period of 5 h. Under the parameters, the hemicellulose removal of WS after IEF pretreatment was up to 73.6 %, and the enzymatic efficiency was 55.8 %. In addition, the irregular surface morphology, diminished functional groups associated with hemicellulose, increased specific surface area and pore volume, as well as improved thermal stability of the residual WS support the remarkable effect of IEF pretreatment. The feasibility of IEF pretreatment is might be due to the fact that the magneto-induced electric field promotes ionization of H+ and formation of hydrated hydrogen ions, increasing the acidity of the medium. Secondly, electroporation disrupts the anti-degradation structure of WS and increases the accessibility of cellulose to cellulases. It indicated that IEF is a green and efficient strategy for assisting the separation of hemicellulose from lignocellulose.

Advancements in hydrogel-based drug delivery systems for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease: a review

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic disorder that affects millions of individuals worldwide. However, current drug therapies for IBD are plagued by significant side effects, low efficacy, and poor patient compliance. Consequently, there is an urgent need for novel therapeutic approaches to alleviate IBD. Hydrogels, three-dimensional networks of hydrophilic polymers with the ability to swell and retain water, have emerged as promising materials for drug delivery in the treatment of IBD due to their biocompatibility, tunability, and responsiveness to various stimuli. In this review, we summarize recent advancements in hydrogel-based drug delivery systems for the treatment of IBD. We first identify three pathophysiological alterations that need to be addressed in the current treatment of IBD: damage to the intestinal mucosal barrier, dysbiosis of intestinal flora, and activation of inflammatory signaling pathways leading to disequilibrium within the intestines. Subsequently, we discuss in depth the processes required to prepare hydrogel drug delivery systems, from the selection of hydrogel materials, types of drugs to be loaded, methods of drug loading and drug release mechanisms to key points in the preparation of hydrogel drug delivery systems. Additionally, we highlight the progress and impact of the hydrogel-based drug delivery system in IBD treatment through regulation of physical barrier immune responses, promotion of mucosal repair, and improvement of gut microbiota. In conclusion, we analyze the challenges of hydrogel-based drug delivery systems in clinical applications for IBD treatment, and propose potential solutions from our perspective.

Insights into starch-based gels: Selection, fabrication, and application

Starch a natural polymer, has made significant advancements in recent decades, offering superior performance and versatility compared to synthetic materials. This review discusses up-to-date diverse applications of starch gels, their fabrication techniques, and their advantages over synthetic materials. Starch gels renewability, biocompatibility, biodegradability, scalability, and affordability make them attractive. Also, advanced theoretical foundations and emerging industrial technologies could further expand their scope and functions inspiring new applications.

CD-MOFs: From preparation to drug delivery and therapeutic application

Cyclodextrin metal-organic frameworks (CD-MOFs) show considerable advantages of edibility, degradability, low toxicity, and high drug loading, which have attracted enormous interest, especially in drug delivery. This review summarizes the typical synthesis approaches of CD-MOFs, the drug loading methods, and the mechanism of encapsulation and release. The influence of the structure of CD-MOFs on their drug encapsulation and release is highlighted. Finally, the challenges CD-MOFs face are discussed regarding biosafety assessment systems, stability in aqueous solution, and metal ion effect.

Metal-organic gels: recent advances in their classification, characterization, and application in the pharmaceutical field

Metal-organic gels (MOGs) are a type of functional soft substance with a three-dimensional (3D) network structure and solid-like rheological behavior, which are constructed by metal ions and bridging ligands formed under the driving force of coordination interactions or other non-covalent interactions. As the homologous substances of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and gels, they exhibit the potential advantages of high porosity, flexible structure, and adjustable mechanical properties, causing them to attract extensive research interest in the pharmaceutical field. For instance, MOGs are often used as excellent vehicles for intelligent drug delivery and programmable drug release to improve the clinical curative effect with reduced side effects. Also, MOGs are often applied as advanced biomedical materials for the repair and treatment of pathological tissue and sensitive detection of drugs or other molecules. However, despite the vigorous research on MOGs in recent years, there is no systematic summary of their applications in the pharmaceutical field to date. The present review systematically summarize the recent research progress on MOGs in the pharmaceutical field, including drug delivery systems, drug detection, pharmaceutical materials, and disease therapies. In addition, the formation principles and classification of MOGs are complemented and refined, and the techniques for the characterization of the structures/properties of MOGs are overviewed in this review.

Recent Advances in Sustainable Antimicrobial Food Packaging: Insights into Release Mechanisms, Design Strategies, and Applications in the Food Industry

In response to the issues of foodborne microbial contamination and carbon neutrality goals, sustainable antimicrobial food packaging (SAFP) composed of renewable or biodegradable biopolymer matrices with ecofriendly antimicrobial agents has emerged. SAFP offers longer effectiveness, wider coverage, more controllability, and better environmental performance. Analyzing SAFP information, including the release profile of each antimicrobial agent for each food, the interaction of each biomass matrix with each food, the material size, form, and preparation methods, and its service quality in real foods, is crucial. While encouraging reports exist, a comprehensive review summarizing these developments is lacking. Therefore, this review critically examines recent release-antimicrobial mechanisms, kinetics models, preparation methods, and key regulatory parameters for SAFPs based on slow- or controlled-release theory. Furthermore, it discusses fundamental physicochemical characteristics, effective concentrations, advantages, release approaches, and antimicrobial and preservative effects of various materials in food simulants or actual food. Lastly, inadequacies and future trends are explored, providing practical references to regulate the movement of active substances in different media, reduce the reliance on petrochemical-based materials, and advance food packaging and preservation technologies.

Cyclodextrin-metal-organic frameworks in molecular delivery, detection, separation, and capture: An updated critical review

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are coordination compounds with tuneable structures and controllable functions. However, the biological toxicity of traditional MOFs materials is often inevitable, making their application in the biological field have many limitations. Therefore, frontier research increasingly focuses on developing biocompatible MOFs materials. Cyclodextrins (CDs), derived from starch, are favored by various biomaterials due to their good biosafety and are often seen in the preparation and application of MOFs materials. This review describes the features of MOFs materials, and the various preparation methods of CD-MOFs are analyzed in detail from the perspective of CD classification. Additionally, the promising applications of CD-MOFs materials for delivery, detection, separation, and capture of active molecules in recent studies are systematically discussed and summarized. In terms of safety, the CD-MOFs materials are meticulously summarized. Finally, this review presents the challenges and future prospects regarding the current CD-MOFs-based materials, which will shed new light on the application of such materials in various fields.

Development of a ZIF-91-Porous-Liquid-Based Composite Hydrogel Dressing System for Diabetic Wound Healing

Porous metal-organic framework (MOF) liquids with permanent porosity, good fluidity, and fine dispersion attract broad attention in catalysis, transportation, gas storage, and chemical separations. Yet, the design and synthesis of porous MOF liquids for drug delivery remain less explored. Herein, a simple and general strategy is reported to prepare ZIF-91 porous liquid (ZIF-91-PL) via surface modification and ion exchange. The cationic nature of ZIF-91-PL not only renders it antibacterial but also with high curcumin loading capacity and sustained release. More importantly, the acrylate group on the grafted side chain of ZIF-91-PL makes it feasible to crosslink with modified gelatin through light curing, and the obtained hydrogel shows a significantly improved healing effect on the wound of diabetes. This work demonstrates for the first time, a MOF-based porous liquid for drug delivery, and the further fabrication of composite hydrogel may have potential applications in biomedical science.

Synthesis of mesoporous-structured MIL-68(Al)/MCM-41-NH2 for methyl orange adsorption: Optimization and Selectivity

Here, we report a novel amino-modified mesoporous-structured aluminum-based metal-organic framework adsorbent, MIL-68(Al)/MCM-41-NH₂, for dye sewage treatment. The introduction of molecular sieves overcomes the inherent defects of microporous MOFs in contaminant transfer and provides more active sites to enhance adsorption efficiency. Compared with using organic amino ligands directly, this strategy is ten times cheaper. The composite was well characterized and analyzed in terms of morphology, structure and chemical composition. Batch experiments were carried out to study the influences of essential factors on the process, such as pH and temperature. In addition, their interactions and the optimum conditions were examined using response surface methodology (RSM). The adsorption kinetics, isotherms and thermodynamics were systematically elucidated. In detail, the adsorption process conforms to pseudo-second-order kinetics and follows the Sips and Freundlich isothermal models. Moreover, the maximum adsorption capacity Q_s of methyl orange (MO) was 477 mg g^-1. It could be concluded that the process was spontaneous, exothermic, and entropy-reducing. Several binary dye systems have been designed for selective adsorption research. Our material has an affinity for anionic pigments. The adsorption mechanisms were discussed in depth. The electrostatic interaction might be the dominant effect. Meanwhile, hydrogen bonding, π-π stacking, and pore filling might be important driving forces. The excellent thermal stability and recyclability of the adsorbent are readily noticed. After five reuse cycles, the composite still possesses a removal efficiency of 90% for MO. Overall, the efficient and low-cost composite can be regarded as a promising adsorbent for the selective adsorption of anionic dyes from wastewater.

Synthesis and potential applications of cyclodextrin-based metal-organic frameworks: a review

Metal-organic frameworks are porous polymeric materials formed by linking metal ions with organic bridging ligands. Metal-organic frameworks are used as sensors, catalysts for organic transformations, biomass conversion, photovoltaics, electrochemical applications, gas storage and separation, and photocatalysis. Nonetheless, many actual metal-organic frameworks present limitations such as toxicity of preparation reagents and components, which make frameworks unusable for food and pharmaceutical applications. Here, we review the structure, synthesis and properties of cyclodextrin-based metal-organic frameworks that could be used in bioapplications. Synthetic methods include vapor diffusion, microwave-assisted, hydro/solvothermal, and ultrasound techniques. The vapor diffusion method can produce cyclodextrin-based metal-organic framework crystals with particle sizes ranging from 200 nm to 400 μm. Applications comprise food packaging, drug delivery, sensors, adsorbents, gas separation, and membranes. Cyclodextrin-based metal-organic frameworks showed loading efficacy of the bioactive compounds ranging from 3.29 to 97.80%.

Nano-Strategies for Enhancing the Bioavailability of Tea Polyphenols: Preparation, Applications, and Challenges

Tea polyphenols (TPs) are among the most abundant functional compounds in tea. They exhibit strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer effects. However, their instability and low bioavailability limits their applications. Nanotechnology, which involves the use of nanoscale substances (sizes ranging from 1 to 100 nm) to improve the properties of substances, provides a solution for enhancing the stability and bioavailability of TPs. We reviewed the preparation, performance, effects, and applications of different types of TPs nanocarriers. First, we introduced the preparation of different nanocarriers, including nanoparticles, nanoemulsions, nanomicelles, and nanolipids. Then, we discussed various applications of tea polyphenol-loaded nanocarriers in functional ingredient delivery, food quality improvement, and active food packaging. Finally, the challenges and future development directions of TPs nanocarriers were elucidated. In conclusion, a nano-strategy may be the “key” to break the application barriers of TPs. Therefore, the use of nano-strategies for the safe, stable, and efficient release of TPs is the direction of future research.