Graphene oxide-based and porous nanocarriers for drug delivery developed with computational and experimental approaches

Zeynep Güner-Yılmaz, Banu Kocaaga, Anıl Yılmaz, Marcel Balcik, Ozge Kurkcuoglu, Fethiye Aylin Sungur, Reha Yavuz, Nilgün Karatepe, Melkon Tatlier, Ahmet Sirkecioglu, Sara Hooshmand, Mehran Aliari Miavaghi, Mohammed Ahmed Zabara, Alp Yürüm, Mustafa Kemal Bayazıt, Saime Batirel, F. Seniha Güner*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

This study explores the drug delivery potential of four distinct nanoparticles (NPs)− faujasite (FAU) zeolite, zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF-8), graphene oxide (GO), and polyglycerol-modified graphene oxide (PG-GO)− as carriers for allantoin (ALL). Integrating computational and experimental methodologies, we analyzed drug loading capacities, release profiles, and cytotoxicity. The computational results highlighted significant differences in adsorption behavior among FAU, ZIF-8, and GO. ZIF-8 has a high adsorption capacity (1322.2 mg ALL/g host), while GO presents strong interaction energies with ALL (− 2429 kcal/mol) and high enthalpy of adsorption (24.6 kcal/mol). Experimental studies are carried out at two different initial ALL: NPs ratio (5:5 and 15:5, mg:mg), and consistent with computational work, ZIF-8 NPs demonstrated the highest drug loading (99.7 % for 5:5 ALL:NPs ratio). Additionally, ZIF-8 NPs established controlled release, facilitated by their high surface area and favorable pore size, making them ideal for sustained delivery. Despite their high loading capacity, GO NPs showed significant cytotoxicity, notably reduced in PG-GO enhancing biocompatibility and providing a more controlled release. These findings highlight ZIF-8′s superior capacity for high-load, sustained drug delivery, while PG-GO offers a safer, controlled-release alternative. Since FAU NPs display moderate loading capacity (77.3 % for 5:5 ALL:NP ratio) and efficient immediate release, attributed to their microporous structure, they are optimal for applications requiring both immediate and sustained therapeutic effects. Integrating in-silico and in-vitro approaches, this study compares GO-based and porous carriers for ALL delivery, elucidating how surface chemistry, pore architecture, and topology govern drug–carrier interactions and biological responses, enhancing our understanding of interfacial phenomena in drug delivery.

Original languageEnglish
Article number107860
JournalSurfaces and Interfaces
Volume76
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Nov 2025

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2025 Elsevier B.V.

Keywords

  • Allantoin
  • Controlled release
  • Cytotoxicity
  • Drug delivery
  • Faujasite
  • Graphene Oxide
  • Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics simulations
  • Nanoparticles
  • Polyglycerol-Modified Graphene Oxide
  • ZIF-8

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Graphene oxide-based and porous nanocarriers for drug delivery developed with computational and experimental approaches'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this