Yao Wang,1,* Mingtang Zeng,1,* Tianfei Fan,1 Ming Jia,2 Ruxi Yin,1 Jia Xue,1 Longjun Xian,3 Ping Fan,1 Mei Zhan1 

1Department of Pharmacy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People’s Republic of China; 2Nanchong Institute for Food and Drug Control, Nanchong, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Thoracic Surgery, Institute of Thoracic Oncology, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, People’s Republic of China

*These authors contributed equally to this work

Correspondence: Ping Fan; Mei Zhan, Department of Pharmacy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, People’s Republic of China, Email m13980602288@163.com; mandyzhanmei@163.com

Abstract: Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are porous materials resulting from the coordination of metal clusters or ions with organic ligands, merging macromolecular and coordination chemistry features. Among these, zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) stands out as a widely utilized MOF known for its robust stability in aqueous environments owing to the robust interaction between its constituent zinc ions (Zn2+) and 2-methylimidazole (2-MIM). ZIF-8 readily decomposes under acidic conditions, serving as a promising candidate for pH-responsive drug delivery systems. Moreover, biomimetic materials typically possess good biocompatibility, reducing immune reactions. By mimicking natural structures or surface features within the body, they enhance the targeting of nanoparticles, prolong their circulation time, and increase their bioavailability in vivo. This review explores the latest advancements in biomimetic ZIF-8 nanoparticles for drug delivery, elucidating the primary obstacles and future prospects in utilizing ZIF-8 for drug delivery applications.

Keywords: MOF, ZIF-8, cell membrane, biomimetic drug delivery