Drug delivery system and in vitro release of luteolin based on magnetic nanocomposite (Fe3O4@ZIF-67)

To extend the wide application range of luteolin (LUT), a slow-release drug delivery system is urgently needed. In this work, Fe 3 O 4 @ZIF-67 was reported as the carrier of LUT. A facile synthesis method of Fe 3 O 4 @ZIF-67 was established with simply continuous stirring. The structure and function of the nanocomposites were characterised by SEM, TEM, XRD, FTIR, VEM and TGA. Under the optimal reaction conditions, the maximum drug loading capacity of the carrier was obtained to be 308.07 µg/mg. And LUT was released about 55% from Fe 3 O 4 @ZIF-67 after 72 h. The adsorption kinetics and release kinetics of LUT were also investigated. The results showed that the relationship between time and drug loading fitted well with the quasi-second-order kinetic equation ( R 2 = 0.99) and the release mechanism followed the Sigmoidal model ( R 2 = 0.98). In short, Fe 3 O 4 @ZIF-67 could be developed as a carrier of the LUT delivery system for slow release.