ZIF-90-decorated silica nanoparticles with a spiky surface: a novel approach to drug delivery

Silica-based drug carriers with spiky morphology have garnered significant attention in the field of drug delivery. However, the limited loading capacity and inadequate endosomal escape of certain chemotherapeutic drugs remain a challenge. In this study, we present a novel approach by synthesizing zeolitic imidazolate framework-90 (ZIF-90) decorated silica nanoparticles (SNPs) with a spiky surface. Our results demonstrate a remarkable doxorubicin loading capacity of 52.73 wt%, surpassing that of bare SNPs, which is attributed to the formation of Schiff base interactions. Furthermore, SNP-ZIF-90 exhibits pH-responsive behavior, with drug release percentages of 24.16% at pH 7.4 and 86.72% at pH 5. Importantly, the developed system facilitates the endosomal escape of drug molecules and exhibits a substantial 6.5-fold and 3-fold reduction in the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) compared to free doxorubicin (Dox) and SNP-Dox, respectively, indicating enhanced therapeutic efficacy. These findings highlight the potential of the spiky SNP-ZIF-90 nanoparticle as a versatile platform for the intracellular delivery of drugs and biomolecules containing aldehyde groups. The unique spiky morphology of the nanoparticles, along with their enhanced drug loading, intracellular delivery efficiency and endosomal escape capacity, makes them an attractive option for targeted drug delivery and potential applications in nanomedicine.