Graphene-tethered 5-fluorouracil-loaded ZnO nanocomposites for pH-responsive enhanced efficacy in drug delivery on MCF-7 cells

Graphene-tethered ZnO nanocomposites with rod shapes and oval-shaped 5-fluorouracil-loaded graphene-supported ZnO nanohybrids were synthesized using one pot wet chemical bottom up coprecipitation method. The presence of hexagonal nanophase of ZnO lattice with surface-tethered graphene sheets were confirmed using XRD pattern and supportive UV–Vis and FTIR spectrum. XRD data of these nanocomposites were matched with TEM images which proved the hexagonal ZnO core maintained even after surface tailoring with graphene and drug loading. These porous nanocomposites were loaded with anticancer drug 5-fluorouracil for enhancement in anticancer activity on breast cancer MCF-7 cells. The optical, morphological and phase physicochemical characterizations of the nanohybrids were performed using techniques as UV–Vis, FTIR, XRD spectrometry, and TEM microscopic analysis. The nanocomposites did not only exhibit biocompatibility but also pH responsive in vitro delivery applied for anticancer therapy on the basis of spectrometric MTT assay following sustained drug release with zero-order Peppas release kinetics. These nanocomposites exhibited higher anticancer activity on MCF-7 cells than free drug after in vitro MTT assay. On the basis of these demonstrations, these newer nanocomposites find future biomedical applications in pH-responsive drug delivery. Graphical abstract