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ORIGINAL RESEARCH
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Dose-dependent toxicity of fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 nanoparticles in Swiss albino mice

Arun Unnikrishna Pillai1 ,  Sreeja Rajeswari2 ,  Annie Abraham3*
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1 Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Government College Kariavattom, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
2 Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Mar Ivanios College (Autonomous), Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
3 Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
BMT, 00054 https://doi.org/10.12336/bmt.25.00054
Submitted: 31 May 2025 | Revised: 4 August 2025 | Accepted: 5 August 2025 | Published: 10 September 2025
Copyright © 2025 by the Author(s). This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution–NonCommercial–ShareAlike 4.0 License.
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Abstract

Nanoscale metal–organic frameworks have attracted significant attention from the research community due to their tailorable composition and structures, high porosity, and facile surface modification. The development of targeted nanoscale drug delivery systems (DDSs) is important in improving target specificity, reducing side effects, and enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of drugs. At the same time, toxicological studies are crucial in the development and safe use of novel DDSs to eliminate unforeseen health risks. Such analyses investigate nano-biointeractions and evaluate potential cytotoxic, genotoxic, or immunotoxic effects. In this study, we synthesized nano-sized luminescent fluorescein 5-isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) nanoparticles through a simple chemical approach. Basic characterization studies of the nanoparticles were performed using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and photoluminescence (PL) analysis. SEM and TEM analysis confirmed the dodecahedral shape of the nanoparticles with an average size of 65–70 nm. The fluorescent emission from FITC-labeled ZIF-8 nanoparticles corresponded to the typical emission of incorporated FITC in the ZIF-8. The PL emission spectrum confirmed the incorporation of FITC into the ZIF-8, thereby offering fluorescence probing of the nanoparticles. In addition, we investigated the in vivo toxicity profile of FITC-labeled ZIF-8 nanoparticles in 6–8-week-old Swiss albino mice to establish safe dosage limits. The results of hematological, biochemical, inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunotoxicity markers, as well as histopathological evaluation, showed no significant toxicity at moderate doses of FITC-labeled ZIF-8 nanoparticles. Thus, FITC-labeled ZIF-8 nanoparticles can be safely employed as a suitable drug delivery platform for in vivo applications, such as in cancer therapy.

Keywords
Zeolitic imidazolate framework-8
Metal–organic frameworks
In vivo studies
Mouse
Toxicity
Funding
None.
Conflict of interest
The authors declare they have no competing interests.
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