Fe-MIL-100 as drug delivery system for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease treatment and diagnosis

Abstract The Metal-Organic Framework material Fe-MIL-100 was tested for use as a biocompatible, non-toxic carrier for theophylline, a methylxanthine-based drug, that is used commercially for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The composite of Fe-MIL-100 and the drug, which is intended for inhalatory treatment and possible theranostic to avoid the first-pass metabolism in liver, was characterized to confirm the drug loading (32%, standard deviation: ± 1.2) and its prolonged release (46%, standard deviation: ± 1.54). This proved potential for therapeutic use. Biotoxicty tests (PrestoBlue and ToxiLight) showed minimal influence of high concentrations of Fe-MIL-100 on the viability of cells (human epithelial cells A549, and murine macrophages, RAW 246.9). The measurement of stress induced in the living cells by Fe-MIL-100 was also estimated by a measurement of the level of oxygen reactive species generation. All these results confirmed that Fe-MIL-100 can be used safely as carrier for potential application in inhalable treatments.