Near-infrared emission carrier, Er 3+ -doped ZnAl-LDH, for delivery and release of ibuprofen in vitro

A drug delivery system with near-infrared emissions response to drug delivery and release is essential as marking or targeting drug delivery system. For this reason, the Er 3+ -doped ZnAl-LDH with near-infrared emissions was used for the first time for controlled release of the ibuprofen (IBU) that is a non-steroidal antiinflammatory drug. The drug release was controlled in simulated intestinal medium (pH 7.4 phosphate buffer solutions at 37 °C). The release kinetics showed an initial burst release followed by a slow release of IBU. The most important thing is that the intercalation of IBU into the Er 3+ -doped ZnAl-LDH greatly reduced the near-infrared emissions of the Er 3+ -doped ZnAl-LDH, whereas the near-infrared emissions were recovered after the IBU was released from the Er 3+ -doped ZnAl-LDH delivery system. This change of near-infrared emissions would provide a useful technique for in situ monitoring of the delivery and release of IBU. The Er 3+ -doped ZnAl-LDH with near-infrared emissions is inexpensive, biocompatible, nontoxic, and little damage to biological tissue, which would be potential application as drug delivery system with marking or targeting performance. ZnAl-Er-LDH drug delivery system exhibits great changes in the intensity of infrared emissions before drug delivery, during drug delivery, and after drug release. This change of infrared emissions would provide a useful technique for in situ monitoring of the delivery and release of ibuprofen at target sites.