Zinc oxide-quercetin nanocomposite as a smart nano-drug delivery system: Molecular-level interaction studies

Abstract

In this study, zinc oxide-quercetin (ZnO-quercetin) nanocomposite was constructed as smart nano-drug delivery system. The amount of quercetin loaded onto the ZnO nanoparticle was found to be 210 µg mg−1. The quercetin release kinetics data indicates that the rate of quercetin release was faster in acidic condition (pH of typical cancer) compared to physiological condition. The molecular-level interaction of ZnO-quercetin nanocomposite formation was investigated by a combined experimental and theoretical investigation. The interaction studies have corroborated that 5–OH in the A-ring and 3–OH in the C-ring of quercetin were the most suitable positions for the ZnO interaction. The constructed ZnO-quercetin nanocomposite demonstrates an effective inhibition of the growth of breast cancer cells (MCF-7) with high biocompatibility (3T3-L1 cells). This study may provide a model path for the further development of smart nano-drug delivery system of metal oxides with hydrophobic natural drugs to treat cancer cells.