Folic Acid Conjugated Chitosan Coated Zeolite Imidazole Framework‐8 (ZIF‐8): A pH‐Responsive Drug Delivery System for the Sustained and Targeted Delivery of Curcumin

Abstract This study explores the development of a pH‐responsive drug delivery system using folic acid (FA) conjugated chitosan (CS) coated curcumin (Curn) encapsulated in zeolitic imidazolate framework‐8 (ZIF‐8) for targeted cancer therapy. The synthesis of FA@CS‐coated Curn@ZIF‐8 was done through a series of chemical reactions, and the resulting nanocarrier was characterized using UV–vis spectroscopy, FT‐IR, PXRD, SEM, and N 2 adsorption–desorption isotherms. The UV–vis and FT‐IR analyses confirmed the effective encapsulation of Curn in the ZIF‐8 framework, while SEM and N 2 adsorption studies revealed changes in morphology and porosity. In vitro drug release studies demonstrated that the FA@CS coating significantly enhanced controlled drug release under acidic conditions, mimicking the tumor microenvironment. The MTT assay and microscopic observations indicated a substantial reduction in MCF‐7 cell viability, showing the system's potent anticancer efficacy. This pH‐responsive drug delivery platform offers promising advancements in targeted therapy, with potential benefits for minimizing off‐target effects and improving treatment outcomes in cancer therapy.