A pH‐responsive Zr‐based metal organic framework PCN‐777 as a potential oral drug carrier

Abstract A Zr‐based metal‐organic framework PCN‐777 with good biocompatibility was synthesized by solvothermal method using 2,4,6‐Tris(4‐Carboxyphenyl)‐1,3,5‐Triazine and ZrOCl 2 ⋅ 8H 2 O as raw materials. Its structure was identified and the results showed that it had good crystallinity. Then the anti‐inflammatory drug ibuprofen sodium was loaded into PCN‐777 to establish an IBUNa@PCN‐777 compound and the maximum loading capacity was tested. When the mass ratio of IBUNa to PCN‐777 was 4 : 1, the loading of IBUNa in IBUNa@PCN‐777 reached the maximum value 72.53 wt %. Biocompatibility investigation indicated PCN‐777 and IBUNa@PCN‐777 had good biocompatibility. Moreover, the drug release behavior of IBUNa@PCN‐777 testified the drug release at pH 7.4(>80 %) was greater than that at pH 2.0(<20 %). indicated that IBUNa@PCN‐777 had good pH response in simulated digestive environments. The above results demonstrated that PCN‐777 had potential application prospects as an oral drug carrier.