Investigation of in vitro effects of Rheum ribes plant extracts enriched with metal organic framework

This study focused on determining the antioxidant potential of extracts obtained from the root, stem, and flower tissues of Rheum ribes L., as well as exploring their applicability within ZIF8 (Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-8)-based metal–organic framework (MOF) carrier systems. Antioxidant capacities were assessed using DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, and TAS assays. The findings indicated that all plant extracts possessed antioxidant activity, while the root extract exhibited the strongest antioxidant performance among the investigated plant parts.As part of the study, ZIF-8 nanoparticles were synthesized and their structural properties were verified through X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The diffraction patterns confirmed the successful formation of the characteristic crystalline framework of ZIF-8. Following synthesis, the plant extracts were incorporated into the ZIF-8 structures, and the resulting formulations were examined in terms of encapsulation efficiency and release behavior. Evaluation of these systems demonstrated that both synthesis parameters and loading conditions significantly influenced the formulation performance.The biological safety of the extracts and ZIF-8-based formulations was investigated using the MTT assay on HaCaT and L929 cell lines. The results showed that Rheum ribes extracts preserved high levels of cell viability across the tested concentration range and did not induce notable cytotoxic effects. In contrast, exposure to ZIF-8 particles and extract-loaded ZIF-8 formulations resulted in a concentration-dependent increase in cytotoxicity. Overall, the findings suggest that Rheum ribes L. may serve as a valuable natural source of antioxidant compounds. In addition, ZIF-8-based delivery systems appear to have potential for future biomedical applications. Nevertheless, further studies are needed to optimize encapsulation performance, regulate release characteristics, and enhance the biocompatibility of these carrier systems.