Synthesis and Drug Delivery Evaluation of Graphene Oxide Supported 5-Fluorouracil

A novel 5-fluorouracil and graphene oxide [GO -5 -FU] mediated drug delivery system was prepared that involves uniquely combining Graphene Oxide (GO) with anticancer 5-fluorouracil (5 -FU) drug for controlled drug release. The nanocarrier system was synthesized by attaching 5 -FU to graphene oxide via a strong 71--71- stacking interaction. The loading and release of 5 -FU indicated strong pH dependence and implied hydrogen -bonding interaction between graphene oxide and 5-fluorouracil. The [GO -5 -FU] system increased significantly in acidic pH and higher temperature without any burst release. In addition, the equilibrium adsorption data were analyzed by the Langmuir and Freundlich models. The results showed that the adsorption behavior could be fitted better by the Freundlich model. We believe that these materials and pH -dependent properties allow developments in controlled drug release techniques for biological and biomedical applications. It is obtained that about 66% of 5 -FU was released in the simulated intestinal fluid (pH 7.4) at 37C over a period of 30 h, while at this temperature and pH environment of the gastric fluid (pH 1.2), ltngvk.tyn 5 5 -FU was released approximately 90% over a period of 30 h. At 37C and this period, the amount of 5 -FU release was 78% at pH 10. As can be observed, as the temperature is raised, the release of 5 -FU is increased.