Woojin Park

Free radicals produced during metabolism lead to outcomes such as cell damage and cancer owing to their high reactivity. Although antioxidants in food products can eliminate radicals, they are expelled within a relatively short period after serving their function. In this study, we investigated the possibility of using Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOF) with antioxidants as their ligand. Metal-Organic Frameworks are porous materials formed with repetitive bonding between ligands and metal centers. We assume that once antioxidant-based MOFs are ingested, ligands are released on a long-term basis in the process of chemical/physical disintegration. SU-101, FeTHQ, and Cu-CAT-1 were selected as candidates for long-term antioxidant MOFs in this study. To evaluate their eligibility, we set up criteria for biocompatibility, particle size, and long-term antioxidant effects. For biocompatibility, we carried out cell toxicity tests with various concentrations of the MOF and its precursors. In addition, we stirred the MOFs in a pH 2 HCl solution and then in PBS buffer to imitate the intake path of the MOFs when introduced into the body. The particle size distribution of the particles was analyzed using TEM and ImageJ software at 12hr intervals, and the antioxidant emission during each interval was quantified using UV-Vis spectroscopy. We concluded that Fe-based FeTHQ with antioxidant Tetrahydroxy-1,4-benzoquinone(THQ) as its ligand is the most effective long-term antioxidant, its effect lasting up to 7 days.