A biocompatible Mn-decorated metal–organic cage with sustainable CO release

Abstract

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an important gaseous transmitter with various pharmacological effects. However, it is a challenge to deliver the proper amount of CO to a specific location. The clinical application of the developed CO-releasing materials (CORMA) with ambiguous structures is difficult. Here, we utilize a metal–organic cage (MOC) with an atomically precise structure as a nanocarrier to bond Mn-based CO-releasing molecules. The obtained MOC-based CORMA are structurally stable and can release CO under light irradiation. Additionally, the in vitro and in vivo biological evaluation demonstrate the low toxicity and good biocompatibility of this MOC-based CORMA, which can effectively inhibit the survival of HeLa cells by light-triggered CO release.