Investigation of Metal-Organic Framework-5 (MOF-5) as an Antitumor Drug Oridonin Sustained Release Carrier

Oridonin (ORI) is a natural active ingredient with strong anticancer activity. But its clinical use is restricted due to its poor water solubility, short half-life, and low bioavailability. The aim of this study is to utilize the metal organic framework material MOF-5 to load ORI in order to improve its release characteristics and bioavailability. Herein, MOF-5 was synthesized by the solvothermal method and direct addition method, and characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer (FTIR), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TG), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), respectively. MOF-5 prepared by the optimal synthesis method was selected for drug-loading and in vitro release experiments. HepG2 cells were model cells. MTT assay, 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining and Annexin V/PI assay were used to detect the biological safety of blank carriers and the anticancer activity of drug-loaded materials. The results showed that nano-MOF-5 prepared by the direct addition method had complete structure, uniform size and good biocompatibility, and was suitable as an ORI carrier. The drug loading of ORI@MOF-5 was 52.86% ± 0.59%. The sustained release effect was reliable, and the cumulative release rate was about 87% in 60 h. ORI@MOF-5 had significant cytotoxicity (IC50:22.99 μg/mL) and apoptosis effect on HepG2 cells. ORI@MOF-5 is hopeful to become a new anticancer sustained release preparation. MOF-5 has significant potential as a drug carrier material.