A biocompatible Zr-based metal-organic framework UiO-66-PDC as an oral drug carrier for pH-response release

A biocompatible Zr-based metal-organic framework UiO-66-PDC was synthesized basing on 2,5-pyridinedicarboxylic acid as the ligand. Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) was used to characterize the structure and estimate the water stability, exhibiting the ideal structure and the excellent water stability of UiO-66-PDC. The anti-inflammatory drug ibuprofen sodium (IBUNa) was selected and loaded into UiO-66-PDC to construct an oral drug delivery system. The loading amount of IBUNa reached to about 27.60 ​wt%. The drug release behaviors of MOF were investigated and the material exhibited pH-response release which the drugs were delivered more in intestinal environment (pH 7.4) than that in gastric environment (pH 2.0). This material indicated its potential application prospect as an oral drug carrier.