Chitosan/carboxymethyl starch bio-coated naproxen@GQDs/Copper glutamate MOFs: A new system for colon-specific drug delivery relay on the special structure of the used polymers

In the present investigation, for the first time, bio metal–organic frameworks (Bio-MOFs) were synthesized with glutamic acid (Glu) as a biocompatible organic linker and copper as a metal node in presence of presynthesized citric acid-based graphene quantum dots (GQDs) ([email protected](Cu)). SEM analysis obtained a diameter of Bio-MOF(Cu) around 1 μm. Naproxen (NAP) as a model of a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug was loaded on [email protected](Cu) at about 53.1 %. [email protected]@Bio-MOF(Cu) showed fast drug release, hence, for achieving the system with controlled and delayed intestinal delivery the [email protected]@Bio-MOF(Cu) was coated with carboxymethyl starch (CMS) and chitosan (CS). The physicochemical properties of the products were evaluated employing well-known characterization techniques. NAP release results displayed that the [email protected] can afford gastric protection and is a more suitable drug carrier for colon targeting. Also, the [email protected]/([email protected]@Bio-MOF(Cu)) showed biodegradability (68.7 %), biocompatibility (78.3 %), and antibacterial (75 µg·mL−1) features. Consequently, the finding displayed that the [email protected]/([email protected]@Bio-MOF(Cu)) potentially could be employed for encapsulation, protection, and delivery of NAP in pharmaceutical applications without any concern about bacterial infections.