Synthesis of chitosan/Al-MCM-41 nanocomposite from natural microcline as a carrier for levofloxacin drug of controlled loading and release properties; Equilibrium, release kinetic, and cytotoxicity

Abstract The presented study focused on the production of a promising delivery system for levofloxacin drug (LVX) of significant loading capacity, controlled release rate, and low preparation cost. Synthesis of Al-MCM-41 from natural microcline as innovative mesoporous structure and integrated it in nanocomposite with chitosan (CS/Al-MCM) resulted in a hybrid structure of enhanced technical properties as drug carrier of significant biocompatibility. Natural microcline was used in the synthesis of Al-MCM-41 by hydrothermal treatment in the existence of an organic template for 24 h at 110 °C. The product was integrated with chitosan into a composite (CS/Al-MCM) which was applied as a carrier for LVX with a loading capacity of 480.6 mg/g which is higher than chitosan (188.8 mg/g) and Al-MCM-41 (340 mg/g). The loading reactions of CS/Al-MCM followed the Pseudo-Second-order kinetic behavior and Langmuir isotherm properties. The theoretical models suggested a homogenous and monolayer loading process that involved chemical and physical reactions of exothermic and spontaneous properties. The CS/Al-MCM showed a significant release profile for 180 h with a maximum release percentage of 96.2%. The LVX release properties followed the Korsmeyer-Peppas behavior with a diffusion exponent related to both diffusion and erosion release mechanisms. The cytotoxicity properties of CS/Al-MCM and LVX loaded CS/Al-MCM declared their safety and biocompatible effect on human bronchial epithelia.