Journal: Materials Today Bio

Article Title: pH-responsive ZIF-8@quercetin nanoparticles induce pyroptosis for targeted gastric cancer therapy

doi: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2026.102806

Figure Lengend Snippet: Schematic illustration of the mechanism of ZIF-8@Que nanoparticles in GC treatment. ZIF-8@Que nanoparticles were prepared via a one-pot co-precipitation process, encapsulating quercetin within the ZIF-8 framework. Upon systemic administration, ZIF-8@Que preferentially accumulates in gastric tumors and undergoes acidic pH-triggered drug release. The nanoparticles exhibit intrinsic POD-like activity, catalyzing H 2 O 2 to generate ROS, which disrupt mitochondrial function by collapsing Δψm, depleting ATP, and enhancing oxidative stress. ROS-driven mitochondrial injury subsequently activates inflammasome-dependent caspase-1, leading to GSDMD cleavage, pore formation, release of IL-1β and IL-18, and subsequent pyroptotic cell death. This cascade culminates in robust eradication of GC cells while sparing normal tissues, highlighting the therapeutic promise of ZIF-8@Que as pyroptosis-inducing nanoparticles.

Article Snippet: Endogenous peroxidase was quenched with 3 % H 2 O 2 for 25 min. After blocking with 3 % BSA for 30 min, sections were incubated overnight at 4 °C with primary antibodies: Ki67 (1:500, CST), Cleaved caspase 3 (1:200, Abcam), Cleaved Caspase 1 (1:100, MCE), and Cleaved GSDMD (1:500, MCE).

Techniques: Activity Assay

Journal: Materials Today Bio

Article Title: pH-responsive ZIF-8@quercetin nanoparticles induce pyroptosis for targeted gastric cancer therapy

doi: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2026.102806

Figure Lengend Snippet: In vivo therapeutic efficacy and safety profile of ZIF-8@Que. (A) Hemolysis assay of mouse RBCs incubated with ZIF-8@Que at various concentrations. (B, C) Assessment of systemic toxicity in healthy mice: body weight (B) and serum biochemical (C) of C57BL/6 mice receiving repeated intravenous doses of ZIF-8@Que (50 mg/kg, once weekly for 4 weeks). (D) H&E staining of major organs confirming normal histology. Scale bar = 10 μm. (E) Experimental timeline for tumor establishment and treatment in nude mice. (F) Body weight of tumor-bearing mice during therapy. (G, H) Tumor growth curves (G) and tumor weight curves (H) for each group at different time points. (I) Kaplan-Meier survival curves for each group. (J) Representative tumor images at study endpoint. (K) H&E staining showing extensive necrosis in ZIF-8@Que-treated tumors. (L) Representative images of Ki67, cleaved caspase-1, cleaved caspase-3, cleaved GSDMD and TUNEL in tumor tissues, highlighting pyroptosis-mediated antitumor effects. For all studies, n ≥ 3. Data are shown as the mean ± SD. Comparisons were performed using the student's t-test or ANOVA. ∗p < 0.05, ∗∗p < 0.01, ∗∗∗p < 0.001, or ns = not significant.

Article Snippet: Endogenous peroxidase was quenched with 3 % H 2 O 2 for 25 min. After blocking with 3 % BSA for 30 min, sections were incubated overnight at 4 °C with primary antibodies: Ki67 (1:500, CST), Cleaved caspase 3 (1:200, Abcam), Cleaved Caspase 1 (1:100, MCE), and Cleaved GSDMD (1:500, MCE).

Techniques: In Vivo, Drug discovery, Hemolysis Assay, Incubation, Staining, TUNEL Assay