curcumin + zinc metal-organic framework + silk fibroin

This is a combination drug delivery system composed of curcumin, a natural polyphenolic compound with antioxidant and anticancer properties; a zinc-based metal-organic framework (MOF), typically zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8); and silk fibroin, a biocompatible protein derived from silkworms. The formulation leverages the unique properties of each component to enhance drug delivery: - **Curcumin** serves as the active therapeutic agent but suffers from poor water solubility and low bioavailability. - **Zinc MOF (e.g., ZIF-8)** acts as an acid-sensitive shell that protects the payload under neutral pH but dissolves in acidic environments such as those found in tumor cells, enabling controlled release. - **Silk fibroin** forms nanoparticles or scaffolds that encapsulate curcumin, improving its stability and further modulating its release profile. The combined system is designed for targeted, controlled release of curcumin within cancer cells due to the pH-responsive dissolution of the MOF shell. This approach aims to increase intracellular delivery efficiency while minimizing systemic toxicity. Preclinical studies have demonstrated enhanced antitumor efficacy compared to conventional formulations[1][2][5].