ISSN print edition: 0366-6352 ISSN electronic edition: 1336-9075 Registr. No.: MK SR 9/7 Published monthly

Copper-loaded zeolite 4A–chitosan nanocomposite: a multifunctional nanocarrier for drug delivery with doxorubicin loading and in vitro antioxidant activity

K. E. Rakesh, Rosy Antony, S. Sandeep, Deepu Thomas, Mithra Geetha, and Kishor Kumar Sadasivuni

Postgraduate and Research Department of Chemistry, Nirmalagiri College, Nirmalagiri, India

E-mail: rakesh.ke@gmail.com

Received: 27 April 2026  Accepted: 12 May 2026

Abstract:

This study presents a multifunctional copper-loaded zeolite 4A–chitosan nanocomposite (CuZC) designed for efficient anticancer drug delivery and oxidative stress management. CuZC was synthesized via a controlled co-precipitation and reflux method and characterized using XRD, FE-SEM, EDX, TEM, and BET analyses to confirm its structural, morphological, and compositional features. Doxorubicin (DOX) loading and release were investigated under different pH conditions to mimic physiological and tumor environments. The nanocomposite exhibited an exceptionally high DOX loading efficiency of 98.9% and showed sustained, pH-responsive drug release, with enhanced release at acidic pH (5.4), favorable for tumor targeting. In vitro cytotoxicity evaluated by the MTT assay on A549 cancer cells revealed that DOX-loaded CuZC induced greater cell inhibition compared to free DOX. Additionally, CuZC demonstrated strong antioxidant activity, achieving approximately 90% DPPH radical scavenging. These findings highlight CuZC as a promising nanocarrier with combined drug delivery efficiency, controlled release, and antioxidant potential for cancer therapy.

Graphical abstract

Keywords: Zeolite; Copper oxide; Chitosan; Drug delivery; Antioxidant activity

Full paper is available at www.springerlink.com.

DOI: 10.1007/s11696-026-05055-2

Chemical Papers 80 (9) 10935–10951 (2026)