Magnetic Nanoparticles Encapsulated Zeolitic Imidazolate Frameworks: A New Delivery System for Crocin

Abstract

The synthesis of magnetic nanoparticles enclosed in zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (MNPs@ZIF-8) was successful carried out at ambient temperature and atmospheric pressure. The synthesis procedure was selected because it is uncomplicated and does not call for the use of any sophisticated pieces of apparatus throughout its execution. The Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images were investigated to characterize the materials. The analysis of the data allowed MNPs@ZIF-8 to evolve into a highly crystalline phase with particles ranging in size from 50 to 100 nanometers. This was made feasible by the fact that the phase could be created. It was explored whether or not MNPs@ZIF-8 was effective as a nanocarrier for the delivery of natural medicines like crocin. It was demonstrated to be very biocompatible and had an IC<inf>50</inf> value of > 1000 μg/mL, which is the concentration at which half of the maximum inhibitory effect is produced. The IC<inf>50</inf> value for crocin-loaded MNPs-ZIF-8 was 419 ± 0 μg/mL, which was roughly half of the IC<inf>50</inf> value for pure crocin, which was 716 ± 160 μg/mL.