Investigation of drug delivery properties of zeolite-copper oxide and graphene oxide-based nanocomposites for controlled release of paclitaxel against SUM-159 cell lines

Paclitaxel (PTX) is a widely used drug for treating cancers such as breast, ovarian, and lung cancer. However, its therapeutic use is limited due to its high toxicity to healthy tissues and the occurrence of side effects. In this study, with the aim of reducing these side effects, a zeolite-copper oxide/graphene oxide nanocomposite was designed and evaluated as an intelligent carrier for PTX drug delivery. Microscopic and spectroscopic analyses, including Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), confirmed the successful synthesis and drug loading. The nanocomposite structure consisted of spherical copper oxide particles (average size 79 nm), graphene oxide sheets, and the high porosity of zeolite. Drug release studies showed that this nanocomposite provides controlled release at physiological (pH=7.4) and faster release under acidic conditions similar to the tumor microenvironment (pH=5.5), which depends on the porous structure and chemical interactions. The drug-free nanocarriers showed low cellular toxicity at high concentrations on the SUM-159 cell line (IC50 > 100 µg/mL), but after PTX loading, a significant decrease in IC50 was observed, indicating increased anticancer effectiveness. Additionally, the three-component nanocomposite had the greatest impact on reducing cell viability by effectively inducing apoptosis. These findings indicate the high potential of the zeolite-copper oxide/graphene oxide nanocomposite for targeted delivery of PTX and minimizing its side effects.