Fabrication of MIL-100 (Fe) metal-organic framework nanocarrier for the controlled release of Paclitaxel against MCF-7 breast cancer cells

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are suitable as carriers for drug delivery systems (DDSs) due to their large specific surface area and high biocompatibility. In the present study, paclitaxel (PTX) as an anticancer drug was loaded into MIL-100 (Fe) to reduce the abuse side effects of PTX and enhance its efficacy through the controlled release of PTX from MOF. MIL-100 (Fe) was synthesized via the hydrothermal technique and characterized through BET, FESEM, FTIR, and XRD analysis. The BET surface area of MIL-100 (Fe) was found to be 1336 m2g-1. Drug release profiles from synthesized MIL-100 (Fe) and pharmacokinetic studies were investigated. The PTX release data of MIL-100 (Fe) was evaluated under pH values of 5.5, and 7.4, at temperatures of 37 °C. The biocompatibility of drug-loaded MIL-100 (Fe) was also assessed by incubating them in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. The maximum cytotoxicity of MCF-7 cancer cells treated with MIL-100 (Fe)/PTX 10 µg mL-1 was found to be 77%. It can be concluded that MIL-100 (Fe) can be used as an effective pH-sensitive carrier to load anticancer drugs. Therefore, all these findings indicate that MIL-100(Fe) is a promising drug delivery platform for PTX and the treatment of various cancers.