Synthesis and characterization of β-cyclodextrin functionalized zeolite-A as biocompatible carrier for Levofloxacin drug; loading, release, cytotoxicity, and anti-inflammatory studies

Abstract

β-cyclodextrin functionalized zeolite-A (β-CD/ZA) was synthesized and characterized as a potential carrier for Levofloxacin with enhanced loading, release, and anti-inflammatory properties. The LVC loading capacity of β-CD/ZA and zeolite-A is 363.4 ​mg/g and 244.7 ​mg/g respectively and this enhancement is related to the enrichment in the density of the active site after the functionalization process (Nm ​= ​160 ​mg/g (β-CD/ZA) and 104.6 ​mg/g (zeolite-A)). Based on the steric (n ​= ​2.26) and energetic (ΔE ​= ​−16.83 ​kJ/mol) parameters of the advanced equilibrium studies, the loading of LVC occurred as two or three ions per each active site by physical (<40 ​kJ/mol) and multimolecular mechanism in parallel orientation. The classic equilibrium investigation declared Pseudo-First order kinetic and Langmuir isotherm demonstrating homogenous and monolayer loading properties. Additionally, the thermodynamic investigation reflects the spontaneous and exothermic loading of LVC into β-CD/ZA. The LVC release profile of β-CD/ZA exhibits long, slow, and continuous release properties for 200 ​h. Based on the release kinetics results (Higuchi and Korsmeyer–Peppas), the LVC release process is controlled essentially by the diffusion mechanism and in addition to minor effects for the erosion mechanism. The LVC loaded β-CD/ZA particles exhibit enhanced anti-inflammatory properties against the production of cytokine (IL-6 and IL-8) within human bronchial epithelia cells (NL20).