Functionalization of β-cyclodextrin metal-organic frameworks with gelatin and glutamine for drug delivery of curcumin to cancerous cells

Sep 21, 2026

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β-Cyclodextrin metal-organic frameworks (β-CD-MOFs) combine cyclodextrin functionality with MOF structural advantages for drug delivery. Biocompatible β-CD-based MOFs were synthesized to deliver curcumin (CCM) to cancerous cells, then functionalized with L-glutamine to improve glutamine-driven targeting and amino-group versatility. Gelatin coating further enabled controlled release in acidic environments, achieving high drug loading (52.38–55.63%) and enhanced therapeutic efficacy. MTT assays demonstrated cancer-cell specificity versus normal cells, supporting improved curcumin delivery for cancer therapy.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

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Pages13

Reading Time33 min

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A R T I C L E I N F O

A B S T R A C T

Introduction

Heliyon 10 (2024) e30349 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Heliyon journal [homepage:](homepage: www.cell.com/heliyon)[ www.cell.com/heliyon](homepage: www.cell.com/heliyon) | Research article
Functionalization of β-cyclodextrin metal-organic frameworks with gelatin and glutamine for drug delivery of curcumin to cancerous cells
Pegah Sadeh a, Sedigheh Zeinali a, *, Banafsheh Rastegarib, Iman Najafipour a
a Department of Nanochemical Engineering, School of Advanced Technologies, Shiraz University, Iran
b Diagnostic Laboratory Sciences and Technology Research Center, School of Paramedical Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Science, Shiraz, Iran | | | | --- | --- | --- | | A R T I C L E I N F O | | A B S T R A C T | | Keywords:
Drug delivery
Metal-organic framework Amine-functionality Cyclodextrin Glutamine | | Beta-cyclodextrin Metal-Organic Framework (β-CD-MOF) is a unique class of porous materials that merges the inherent properties of cyclodextrins with the structural advantages of metalorganic frameworks (MOFs). When combined with the concept of MOFs, which are crystalline structures composed of metal ions or clusters linked by organic ligands, the resulting β-CD-MOF holds immense potential for various applications, especially in the field of drug delivery. In this study, biocompatible metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) synthesized using β-Cyclodextrin (β-CD) and potassium enabled drug delivery of curcumin (CCM) to cancerous cells. Functionalizing β-CDMOF with L-glutamine (glutamine-β-CD-MOF) enhanced cancer cell-specific targeting due to glutamine’s essential role in cancer cell proliferation and energy pathways. Amino group functionalization provided further functionalization opportunities. Gelatin coating (gelatin@β-CDMOF) facilitated controlled drug release in an acidic medium. High drug loading capacities (52.38–55.63 %) were achieved for β-CD-MOF@CCM and glutamine-β-CD-MOF@CCM, leveraging the high porosity and affinity of amine and phenol groups ofcurcumin. The MTT assay highlighted the specificity and differentiation of glutamine-β-CD-MOF in targeting cancerous over normal cells. These functionalized β-CD MOFs efficiently encapsulate curcumin, ensuring controlled drug release and enhanced therapeutic efficacy, particularly in cancer therapy. | 1. Introduction Cancer is one of the leading causes of global mortality. Conventional treatments, including radiotherapy, surgery, immunotherapy, and chemotherapy, are yet to achieve complete therapeutic success [1]. Nanotechnology is extensively utilized for therapeutic and diagnostic development. Their properties have made them lucrative candidates for drug delivery systems [2]. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are a class of microporous crystalline coordination polymers consisting of metal nodes or clusters interconnected with these materials [3–6]. The exceptional porosity and high surface area of these structures, together with tuning and designing of a variety of MOFs due to infinite combination of metal nodes and organic ligands, tailorable pore size, biocompatibility and biodegradability, and ease of functionalization of organic ligands, led to the vast potential and application of ions utilized in the synthesis include p-block elements, transition metals, alkaline earth metals, alkaline metals, lanthanides, and actinides [7]. Diverse applications * Corresponding author. E-mail addresses: [zeinali@shirazu.ac.ir](zeinali@shirazu.ac.ir), [zzeinali@yahoo.com](zzeinali@yahoo.com) (S. Zeinali). [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e30349](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e30349) Received 29 July 2023; Received in revised form 23 April 2024; Accepted 24 April 2024 Available online 25 April 2024 2405-8440/© 2024 Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license ([http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)). of MOFs incl

FAQs

What delivery system is studied and what drug does it carry?

The study investigates functionalized β-cyclodextrin metal-organic frameworks as carriers for delivering curcumin to cancerous cells.

How do glutamine and gelatin functionalizations affect performance?

L-glutamine functionalization enhances cancer-cell specific targeting, while gelatin coating facilitates controlled drug release in acidic environments.

What evidence supports targeting and controlled release in the study?

High drug loading (52.38–55.63%) is reported for the functionalized MOFs, and MTT assays indicate specificity of glutamine-β-CD-MOF targeting cancerous cells over normal cells.

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Aurora