Development of BioMOFs based on folic acid and curcumin

Abstract

Metal-organic frameworks are coordination polymers that have a structure with high crystallinity and great porosity. This new class of materials has been studied as a controlled drug delivery system. There is also the possibility of developing these materials using biocompatible organic linkers and with biological activity, giving rise to BioMOFs (from English: Biocompatible Metal-Organic Frameworks). Thus, the objective of this work is to carry out the synthesis and characterization of two BioMOFs based on the ligands folic acid and curcumin with iron (III) ions, separately, for future application as controlled drug delivery systems. Folic acid has recently been linked to a decrease in the proliferation of tumor cells, especially in colorectal cells, and curcumin has interesting pharmacological properties, which are, anti-oxidants, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer. In the first stage of the work, the appropriate synthesis parameters for the development of each system will be investigated, including the pH reaction, time of reaction and temperature. Then, the characterization of these materials will be carried out using X-ray diffraction measurements, infrared spectroscopy, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, N2 fission analysis and scanning electron microscopy. Some preliminary results have already been obtained by the research group to which this project is linked, such as confirmation of the coordination of the organic folic acid ligand with the metal iron. These results are promising and suggest the possibility of forming BioMOFs.