Facile synthesis of zinc acetate/niacin MOFs for use in wound healing

Abstract

Niacin (NA) and Zinc (Zn) were used to fabricate metal organic frameworks (Zn-NA MOFs), based on coordination chemistry via a simple, rapid technique conducted at room temperature. The identity of the prepared MOFs was confirmed by FTIR, XRD, SEM, and TEM, which showed cubic shaped, crystalline, microporous MOFs with an average size of 150 nm. Release of the active ingredients from the MOFs was proved to be pH dependent in a slightly alkaline medium (pH 8.5) with a sustained release rate of its two ingredients, NA and Zn, which have wound healing activity. Zn-NA MOFs proved to be biocompatible in the tested concentrations range (5 - 100 mg/mL), with no cytotoxic effect on WI-38 cell line. Zn-NA MOFs at 10 and 50 mg/mL concentrations and their components, NA and Zn, exerted antibacterial effects against S. aureus, E. coli, and P. aeruginosa. Wound healing effect of the Zn-NA MOFs (50 mg/mL) was evaluated on full excisional rat wounds. Significant reduction of the wound area was observed after 9 days of treatment using the Zn-NA MOFs compared to the other treatment groups. Additionally, wounds were fully healed after 10 days of treatment with the Zn-NA MOFs with histological and immunohistochemical evidence of re-epithelization, collagen formation, and angiogenesis. Similar histological evidence was also observed in wounds treated with niacin only; however, with no significant wound closure rates. Nevertheless, the formation of new blood vessels, as confirmed by the VEGF protein expression, was highest in the niacin group. Zn-NA MOFs synthesized using a facile, low-cost method are potentially capable of healing wounds rapidly and effectively.