γ-Cyclodextrin
metal–organic frameworks (γCDMOF)
recently emerged as biofriendly, highly porous, and crystalline materials
with potential applications in drug delivery. However, little is known
about their drug entrapment and release characteristics, which are
key parameters in the design of drug carriers. The macroscopic properties
of a material are determined by its microstructure. Thus, the characteristics
of the constitutive units of the cubic crystalline γCDMOF determine
their drug loading and release behaviors. In this study, the release
profile of prednisolone (PNS) form γCDMOF was predicted, and
the mechanism was analyzed based on the γCDMOF molecular structure.
For the first time, experimental, molecular simulation, and mathematical
modeling methods were combined to gain insights into the drug distribution
in cubic porous crystals of γCDMOF as well as on drug release
kinetics. The predicted release profile was in good agreement with
the experimental results, showing that the modeling method was reliable.
The methodology developed here could provide a reference for further
investigations of drug penetration and release in supramolecular systems.
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