Investigation of pantoprazole loading and release from a magnetic-coated chitosan-modified zirconium-based metal–organic framework (MOF) as a nanocarrier in targeted drug delivery systems

Abstract

This study reports a novel magnetic and porous nanocomposite, Fe₃O₄@CS@UIO-66-NH₂(Zr), developed by growing a zirconium-based metal–organic framework on magnetite–chitosan. It is designed for targeted and delayed pantoprazole delivery, the nanocomposite exhibits pH-sensitive behavior and functions as an efficient nanocarrier. The synthesis process involved coating magnetite nanoparticles with chitosan, followed by the growth of UIO-66-NH₂(Zr) on the coated nanoparticles. The nanocomposite demonstrated high drug loading efficiency (DLE) in acetate buffer (pH 5.0) and deionized water, with loading percentages of 79% and 75%, respectively, within 48 hours. The corresponding drug loading content (DLC) was approximately 14% and 10%. The Freundlich and Langmuir models accurately described the multilayer adsorption behavior of pantoprazole on the nanocomposite's active sites. BET and EDX-map analyses confirmed that the drug was loaded into the nanocomposite's pores and uniformly adsorbed on its surface. The drug release kinetics were best described by the pseudo-second-order model. Due to its porosity, magnetic properties, and favorable drug loading characteristics, the Fe₃O₄@CS@UIO-66-NH₂(Zr) nanocomposite shows potential as an efficient targeted drug delivery system for in vivo applications.