Introduction

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is considered one of the most significant problems affecting human life in last two decades [1, 2]. Resistance to antimicrobial drugs reduces the efficacy of drugs, resulting in increased morbidity and mortality [3,4,5,6]. In addition, the adverse effects of treatment protocols may affect more than the disease being treated [7, 8]. In addition, despite the development and advancement of medical therapies, the cancer cure still faces significant obstacles. Traditional cancer treatments consist of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery. Early tumors respond well to radiotherapy and surgery, whereas advanced tumors require chemotherapy, which does not guarantee efficacy and may even be detrimental to normal cells. In many instances, the discovery of new drugs is reliant on drugs with elevated side effects [9,10,11]. So, the progress of new generation of antimicrobial, anticancer as well as antiviral agent needs is increased day by day, particularly after appearance COV-19 pandemic [12, 13].

MIL-125-NH2 is a common photocatalyst that is now being employed as a bioactive substance for bacterial cells. MIL-125-NH2 was added to g-C3N4 then coated with quaternary ammonium compound (QAC) to form positive charge surface, and this material can enhance the electrostatic attractions performance between bacterial cells and the surface of the material. The photocatalytic activity of prepared QAC@MIL-125-NH2@g-C3H4 toward bacteria was increased because of the cooperative effects of bacterial cell adhesion and ROS generation. Interestingly, the QAC@MIL-125-NH2@g-C3H4 photocatalyst gives 3.20 times of inactivation performance for Staphylococcus epidermidis within 60 min under visible light contact [14].

MIL-125-NH2 can chemically connect to Rh complex via modification of organic linker backbone of MOFs. The obtained modification facilitated the photo-induced electron transfer for the NADH regeneration with the yield of 66.4% in 60 min for 5 cycles [15].

MIL-125-NH2 was integrated into bacteria cellulose@chitosan, and the obtained composite was used as air filters. The advantage of produced filter was highly porous structure, superior filtration properties with high removal efficiencies under low pressure [16]. MIL-125-NH2 was used for simultaneously monitor of methyl 1-naphthalene acetate, parathion-methyl, fenitrothion, bromophos and phenthoate residues in pomelo [17].

MIL-125-NH2 was added to catalase (CAT), and the immobilizing process depends on the adsorption and covalent binding between catalase and amino group of MIL-125-NH2. The obtained composite from catalase and MOFs achieved high recovery activity, pH stability and thermostability [18].

MIL-125-NH2 was added to silver molybdate (Ag2MoO4) and silver vanadate (AgVO3). The composite was tested as antimicrobial and anticancer agents. The obtained Ag2MoO4@MIL-125-NH2 achieved as antibacterial; the inhibition zone of Ag2MoO4@MIL-125-NH2 was higher than MIL-125-NH2 with seven times high. Moreover, the anticancer activity of Ag2MoO4@MIL-125-NH2 displaied 1.58 times more than MIL-125-NH2 [19].

MIL-125-NH2 was connected with nerve agent antidote (2-[(hydroxyimino)methyl]-1-methyl-pyridinium chloride) via simple, safe and low-cost synthetic approach. The mechanism of encapsulation into the pores of MIL-125-NH2 was related to the interactions between the nerve agent antidote and the pore walls via π-π stacking and hydrogen bonds [20]. Polysaccharides are a regulators for nanoparticles. Moreover, polysaccharides are a biocompatible, biodegradable and noncorrosive biopolymers. Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) is the excellent example of functionalized and edible cellulose derivative that is congaing side branch carboxylate group [4, 21, 22]. Additionally, CMC is characteristics with a unique features that are pushed up in many food industries and pharmaceutical industries such as edibility, biodegradability, non-toxic, water soluble, thinking agent and other compatibility with human cells and no allergy as well [23,24,25,26]. Indeed, the nanoparticles that have a bioactive properties usually need a formulation in which the activity of nanoparticles is amplified. Obviously, in this current work, a bioactive MOF (MIL-125-NH2) was formulated in CMC and decorated with thiophene to be used as antimicrobial and antiviral as well as anticancer active agent with great biocompatibility.

Experimental section

Reagents

2-Aminoterephthalic acid (99%, Aldrich), titanium isopropoxide (Merck), N,N-dimethylformamide (99.9%, Aldrich), chloroform (99.5%, Aldrich), toluene (PA, Fisher Scientific), thiophene carboxaldehyde (99%, Aldrich).

Synthesis of MIL-125-NH2

The current MOFs were prepared by adding 1 mL of titanium isopropoxide to a solution of 0.37 g 2-aminoterephthalic acid in N,N-dimethylformamide/methanol (9:1 v/v) (50 mL) at room temperature. The mixture was added in autoclave, closed and placed in the oven at 150 °C for 18 h. The yellow solids were separated, washed with DMF several times, CHCl3 several times, and then immersed into ethanol for three night replaced DMF guest molecules.

Synthesis of MIL-125-NH2@CMC

Alcoholic solution (15 mL) of CMC (656 mg, 4 mmol) was added drop wisely at room temperature to MIL-125-NH2 (1.0 g, 3.3 mmol NH2 equivalents) dispersed in ethanol (15 mL), and the solution was stored for 5 days at room temperature. The obtained composites were then washed with ethanol several times.

Synthesis of sulfur-containing composite

The composite (Thio@MIL-125-NH2@CMC) was prepared by adding alcoholic (15 mL) solution of thiophene carboxaldehyde (1 mmol) drop wisely at room temperature to MIL-125-NH2@CMC (1 mmol) in ethanol (15 mL), and the resulting solution was standed for 3 days at room temperature. The obtained composite was washed with ethanol and dried in open air.

Characterizations

Physiochemical analysis was included; Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) using Spectrum Two IR Spectrometer—PerkinElmer, Inc., Shelton, USA”. Spectral analysis was obtained at 32 scans and 4 cm−1 resolutions in wavenumbers ranging from 4000 to 400 cm−1. The powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) was carried out using a Diano X-ray diffractometer (Philips) provided with a CuKα radiation source (λ = 0.15418 nm), energized at 45 kV, as well as a generator (PW 1930) and a goniometer (PW 1820). On the other side, the topography and particle size were carried out using Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Quanta FEG 250, FEI, Republic of Czech), which was connected with energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDAX) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) JEOL-JEM-1230. The dynamic light scattering was carried out to investigate the average diameter, the size distribution that measured by using a particle size analyzer (Nano-ZS, Malvern Instruments Ltd., UK).

Antimicrobial activity

The antimicrobial activity of MIL-125-NH2@CMC and Thio@MIL-125-NH2@CMC against four microorganisms, including Escherichia coli ATCC25922, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC25922, Candida albicans ATCC90028 and Aspergillus niger RCMB 02,724, was evaluated using the agar well diffusion technique. Minor modifications were made to the M51-A2 document of the Clinical Laboratory Standard Institute [27] when performing the agar diffusion test. MIL-125-NH2@CMC and Thio@MIL-125-NH2@CMC, standard antibiotic (Amoxicillin/clavulanate), were added to agar wells (7 mm) at a concentrations of 1000 g/mL individually, followed by incubation at 37 °C for 24 h. On the other hand, fungal strains were cultivated on PDA plates and incubated at 30 °C for 3–5 days. The fungal suspension was prepared in sterilized phosphate buffer solution (PBS) pH 7.0, and after counting in a cell counter chamber, the inoculums were adjusted to 107 spores/mL. One milliliter was distributed equitably across agar PDA Plates. Then, 100 µl of the tested MIL-125-NH2@CMC and Thio@MIL-125-NH2@CMC and reference antifungal (Nystatin) at concentration 1000 g/mL were added. After incubating all PDA plates at 30 °C for 72 h, the diameter of the inhibition zone was measured. To determine minimum inhibitory concentrations of MIL-125-NH2@CMC, and Thio@MIL-125-NH2@CMC. AMC and Nystatin were prepared in various concentrations ranging from 1000 to 3.9 g/mL and then tested separately against selected bacterial and fungal strains [28, 29].

Antiviral activity

Two viruses Herpes simplex 1 (HSV1) and Coxsackie B4 (COX B4) were used in this experiment. Cells were seeded into 200 µL of medium in a 96-well plate and incubated overnight at 37 °C and 5% CO2 to enable the cells to adhere to the wells. Incubate virus suspension and maximum non-toxic concentration of tested compounds in equal volume (1:1 v/v) for 1 h, then centrifuge 100 µL of virus suspension at 150 rpm for 5 min and incubate for 24 h. After incubation, 20 µL was added to each well, shaken for 5 min at 150 rpm, and then incubated at 37 °C for 1 to 5 h to enable the MTT to be metabolized. The optical density was measured at 560 nm, and the background was subtracted at 620 nm [30].

In vitro cytotoxicity and anticancer activity

The cytotoxicity of prepared MIL-125-NH2@CMC, and Thio@MIL-125-NH2@CMC against Vero (ATCC-CCL-81), MCF7 (breast cancer), and PC3 (prostate cancer) cell lines was assessed using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay (MTT) [31, 32]. The following formula was used to calculate cell quantity and viable cell percentage [33].

$$\mathrm{Viability\, \%}= \frac{\mathrm{Test \,OD}}{\mathrm{Control \,OD}}\mathrm{ X }100$$
$$\mathrm{Inhibition\, \%}=100-\mathrm{Viability\, \%}$$

Results and Discussion

The free amino group attached to the backbone of MIL-125-NH2 was used for the preparation of S-functionalized MOFs (Thio@MIL-125-NH2@CMC) as illustrated in Scheme 1. Post-synthetic modification (PSM) technique was used to synthesis of target composites, 2-thiophene carboxylaldehyde was added to MIL-125-NH2@CMC by PSM strategy. The novel synthesized Thio@MIL-125-NH2@CMC showed interesting properties such as high stability, large surface area and wide pore size. Thio@MIL-125-NH2@CMC having the imine (C=N) group obtained by covalent bonding between 2-thiophene carboxaldehyde and free amino group of MIL-125-NH2. This kind of imine (C=N) groups cannot be formed by direct preparation, but using PSM technique it can be formed. The obtained sulfur functionalized MOFs (S-MOFs) composite was extended to apply in drug delivery system such as antimicrobial and anticancer.

Scheme 1
scheme 1

The reaction details of the MOF formulation using CMC and thiophene

Full size image

The physiochemical characterizations of prepared samples were carried out using FTIR and PXRD crystallography. The FTIR spectra for formula and its neat materials are shown in Fig. 1. The MIL-125-NH2 spectrum was observed with a broad band at 3339 cm−1 that attributed to υasym (N–H) and bands at 1586 and 1415 cm−1 corresponding to the benzene rings function groups included C=C stretching modes of the aromatic ring and C–N stretching vibrations [34]. Additionally, bands at 1328 cm−1 are due to carboxylate groups and 1263 responding to C-N stretching vibrations[20]. Otherwise, the O−Ti−O bonds were appeared as small bands at 773 and 641 cm−1 [35]. On the other hand, the CMC spectrum was represented a specific characteristic bands at 3275, 2872, 1592, 1415 and 1022 cm−1 are determined to the stretching vibration of hydroxyl groups, CH, COO- asymmetric, symmetric and carbohydrate linkage, respectively [36, 37]. Whereas, the MIL-125-NH2@CMC spectrum observed obvious change in function groups values in comparison with its neat materials, the hydroxyl group band was shifted to lower frequency (3260 cm−1) as well as the bands at 1257 cm−1 was observed with a new position for C-N stretching vibrations. Otherwise, the Thio@MIL-125-NH2@CMC nanocomposite was shown the sharpest hydroxyl group band at 3315 cm−1 in comparison with the neat materials. Additionally, a new bands were observed at 1651 and 1540 are related to thiophene interaction. Moreover, the characteristic bands of thiophen were assigned at shifted position at 556 cm−1 that corresponding to C-S-C stretching [38]. These above observations, change in bands passion as well as appearing of new bands, were affirmed the interaction between the neat materials and the target composites MIL-125-NH2@CMC and Thio@MIL-125-NH2@CMC.

Fig. 1
figure 1

FTIR of prepared nanocomposite and their neat materials

Full size image

Beside, the crystallographic pattern of prepared nanocomposite and their neat materials were shown in Fig. 2. MIL-125-NH2 showed diffraction pattern at 2θ = 6.5°, 9.5°, 11.4°, 16.2° and 17.6°, corresponding to (101), (200), (211), (222) and (312) indexation that is referred to formed phase of pure MIL-125-NH2 [39], and this was in agreement with typical MIL-125-NH2 PXRD pattern [40, 41]. However, the CMC pattern was observed two hubs peaks at around 10° and 19.5° that are referred to amorphous structure of CMC [42]. On the other side, the nanocomposite MIL-125-NH2@CMC pattern was obviously presented both peaks of MIL-125-NH2 and CMC. Instead, the CMC pattern was domain the spectrum while the MIL-125-NH2 clearly at 6.4° and 16.9°. Otherwise, the Thio@MIL-125-NH2@CMC pattern was affirmed a highest crystallinity in comparison with neat CMC and MIL-125-NH2@CMC. The Thio@MIL-125-NH2@CMC peaks were observed with high intensity at 6.5°and 11.9°confirming the presence of MIL-125-NH2 MOFs in the composite [43].

Fig. 2
figure 2

PXRD pattern prepared nanocomposite and their neat materials

Full size image

The topographical study was involved SEM, EDX and mapping as well as TEM and SEAD pattern. The SEM images are shown in Fig. 3 as low and high magnification with EDX chart for CMC, MIL-125-NH2@CMC and Thio@MIL-125-NH2@CMC provide with mapping. The CMC low magnification image (Fig. 3a) was observed as a typical CMC performance that mildly fibers and the high magnification image (Fig. 3b) clearly the fibers as a polymer-like behavior. In addition, the MIL-125-NH2@CMC image at low magnification (Fig. 3d) was observed as a CMC structure with protrusions that are obviously assigned in high magnification (Fig. 3e) as a particle that is referred to MIL-125-NH2. Moreover, the Thio@MIL-125-NH2@CMC nanocomposite surface morphology was observed with a unique surface morphology at low magnification (Fig. 3g) that was clear as a hairy surface with the protrusions as assigned previously in the sample MIL-125-NH2@CMC. However, this surface texture was disappeared in the high magnification image (Fig. 3h) but recorded as tiny parts over MIL-125-NH2 particles surface. In this context, the EDX chart of CMC (Fig. 3c) was shown a typical elemental content of CMC, namely carbon, oxygen and sodium. Besides, the EDX chart of MIL-125-NH2@CMC (Fig. 3f) affirmed the elements added to CMC including nitrogen and titanium that are due to MIL-125-NH2. However, the Thio@MIL-125-NH2@CMC EDX chart (Fig. 3i) appeared with all elements mentioned above with sulfur. Furthermore, the mapping charts clarified the distributions of titanium and sulfur ions that are observed with a homogeneous distribution over the Thio@MIL-125-NH2@CMC nanocomposites surface.

Fig. 3
figure 3

SEM images of CMC with low magnification (a), high magnification (b) and EDX chart (c). MIL-125-NH2@CMC SEM images with low magnification (d), high magnification (e) and EDX chart (f). Thio@MIL-125-NH2@CMC SEM images with low magnification (g), high magnification (h) and EDX chart (i) as well as mapping for (C, O, S and Ti ions) and separated chart for C, O,S and Ti

Full size image

The TEM images as well as the SEAD pattern of MIL-125-NH2@CMC and Thio@MIL-125-NH2@CMC nanocomposites are shown in Fig. 4. The MIL-125-NH2@CMC at low magnification (Fig. 4a) observed a layer arranged as stacked on top of each other and doped with circulated particles which both in nanoscale. Indeed, the layers are referred to CMC and the particles are referred to MIL-125-NH2. Moreover, the high magnification image (Fig. 4c) observed the nanocomposite component interacted together and the average particle size was around 50 nm as well as the particle size distribution was affirmed that as shown in (Fig. 4g). Additionally, the SEAD pattern (Fig. 4b) affirmed the polycrystalline nature of nanocomposite. On the other hand, the Thio@MIL-125-NH2@CMC image at low magnification (Fig. 4d) revealed exceptional in this nanocomposite behavior where the particles interacted obviously with each other at low magnification image and the layers were expanded to involve the particle. Otherwise, at the high magnification image (Fig. 4f), the nanocomposite is clearly assigned as a single part arranged in different directions. These observations may be related to the thiophene role that collected the nanocomposite component and incorporated both into each other. Moreover, the particle size of Thio@MIL-125-NH2@CMC was measured around 35 nm. These results are in a nice agreement with the particle size distribution (Fig. 4h). The SEAD (Fig. 4e) affirmed the above phenomena that showed polycrystalline behavior with the highest chain spots that referred to the high combination.

Fig. 4
figure 4

TEM image of MIL-125-NH2@CMC with low magnification (a) and high magnification (c) and SEAD pattern (b) as well as Thio@MIL-125-NH2@CMC with low magnification (d) and high magnification (f) and SEAD pattern (e). The particle size distribution of MIL-125-NH2@CMC (g) and Thio@MIL-125-NH2@CMC (h)

Full size image

Antimicrobial activity

Composites based on thiophene have received much attention in the last period due to the thiophene nucleus has been recognized as an important entity in the synthesis of heterocyclic compounds with promising pharmacological characteristics [44]. Therefore, in the current study, antimicrobial activity of MIL-125-NH2@CMC and Thio@MIL-125-NH2@CMC was evaluated against E. coli, S. aureus, C. albicans and A. niger as shown in Fig. 5 and Table 1. Results revealed that both MIL-125-NH2@CMC and Thio@MIL-125-NH2@CMC at concentration 1000 µg/ml exhibited weak antibacterial activity, where Thio@MIL-125-NH2@CMC was higher than MIL-125-NH2@CMC only. Also, inhibition zones of Thio@MIL-125-NH2@CMC were 10 and 17 mm against E. coli and S. aureus, respectively, while as AMC did not give any inhibition on both E. coli and S. aureus. Moreover, antibacterial results revealed that MICs of Thio@MIL-125-NH2@CMC were 1000 and 250 µg/ml against E.coli & S. aureus, respectively. On the other hand, Thio@MIL-125-NH2@CMC showed promising antifungal activity against both unicellular and multicellular fungi. Inhibition zones of Thio@MIL-125-NH2@CMC toward C. albicans and A. niger were 28 and 69 mm, respectively; but inhibition zones of MIL-125-NH2@CMC only were 12 and 10 mm, respectively. Furthermore, MICs of Thio@MIL-125-NH2@CMC toward C. albicans and A. niger were 31.25 and 0.97 µg/ml, respectively, but were 500 & 1000 µg/ml for MIL-125-NH2@CMC, respectively. This indicates adding of thiophene to MIL-125-NH2@CMC led to increase in antifungal activity. Previous studies reported that thiophene-based materials have antifungal activity against unicellular and multicellular fungi [45,46,47]. de Araújo Neto, de Lima, de Oliveira, de Souza, Buonafina, Anjos, Brayner, Alves, Neves and Mendonça-Junior [45] reported that 2-(5-nitro-thiophene)-thiosemicarbazones derivatives have antifungal activity against Candida sp. and Cryptococcus neoformans with inhibition of enzymes related to biosynthesis of ergosterol. Moreover, Wen, Jian, Shang and He [46] illustrated that thiophene-based stilbene derivatives exhibited antifungal activity against Botrytis cinerea where IC50 was in range 168.5 -155.4 µg/mL. Furthermore, Guimarães, Reis, Silva, Mendonça Junior, Converti, Pessoa Jr, Damasceno and Silva [47] revealed that microemulsion containing a thiophene derivative has potential antifungal activity against Candida species (MIC = 270–540 µg/mL) and C. neoformans (MIC = 17 µg/mL). Also, Mabkhot, Alatibi, El-Sayed, Al-Showiman, Kheder, Wadood, Rauf, Bawazeer and Hadda [48] reported that novel armed thiophene derivatives have antibacterial and antifungal activity against Gram-negative, Gram-positive bacteria, unicellular and multicellular fungi.

Fig. 5
figure 5

Antimicrobial activity of MIL-125-NH2@CMC (1) and Thio@MIL-125-NH2@CMC (2) and AMC/NS (3) using agar well diffusion method

Full size image
Table 1 Inhibition zones and minimum inhibitory concentrations of MIL-125-NH2@CMC and Thio@MIL-125-NH2@CMC toward E. coli, S. aureus, C. albicans and A. niger
Full size table

Antiviral activity

Viral infections pose significant risks to public health, as evidenced by epidemics such as COVID-19 in humans and African Swine Fever (ASF) in animals, which justifies intensive research into the development of novel antiviral molecules and materials. Antiviral activity of MIL-125-NH2@CMC and Thio@MIL-125-NH2@CMC was evaluated against HSV1 and COX B4 human viruses as shown in Fig. 6. Antiviral activity of MIL-125-NH2@CMC and Thio@MIL-125-NH2@CMC was evaluated at maximum non-toxic concentration (MNTC), where MNTC of MIL-125-NH2@CMC and Thio@MIL-125-NH2@CMC against vero normal cell line was 250 and 125 µg/ml, respectively. Results revealed that Thio@MIL-125-NH2@CMC exhibited promising antiviral activity against both HSV1 and COX B4 where showed activity toward HSV1 higher than COX B4. Moreover, antiviral activity of Thio@MIL-125-NH2@CMC toward HSV1 was 68.89%, while was 39.60% in the case of COXB4. On the other hand, MIL-125-NH2@CMC without thiophene exhibited very weak antiviral activity against HSV1 and COX B4 where inhibition percentages were 7.84 and 11.57%, respectively. Herein, Thio@MIL-125-NH2@CMC has promising antiviral activity against HSV1 and COX B4 which can be used in biomedical application. Jaros, Król, Bażanów, Poradowski, Chrószcz, Nesterov, Kirillov and Smoleński [49] synthesized bioMOF based on silver, 1,3,5-Triaza-7-Phoshaadamantane and Pyromellitic Acid, where it exhibited significant antiviral activity against human adenovirus 36 (HAdV-36). Furthermore, a new complex MIL-101(Fe)-T705 was created by combining the MOF material MIL-101(Fe) with the medication favipiravir (T-705), and this complex demonstrated good antiviral activity against Influenza Virus at low concentrations [50].

Fig. 6
figure 6

Antiviral activity of MIL-125-NH2@CMC and Thio@MIL-125-NH2@CMC against HSV1 and COX B4 viruses

Full size image

Cytotoxicity and anticancer activity

In vitro cytotoxicity of compounds on human normal cell lines is considered the first step to detect the safety of these compounds [32]. In the current study, cytotoxicity of MIL-125-NH2@CMC and Thio@MIL-125-NH2@CMC on Vero normal cell line was evaluated as shown in Fig. 7A. Results illustrated that both MIL-125-NH2@CMC and Thio@MIL-125-NH2@CMC at concentrations up to 125 µg/mL did not show any toxicity on Vero normal cell line, also IC50 were 515 & 395 µg/mL, respectively. Generally, if the IC50 is ≥ 90 μg/mL, the material is classified as non-cytotoxic [51]. Therefore, both prepared MIL-125-NH2@CMC and Thio@MIL-125-NH2@CMC are safe in use for biological applications.

Fig. 7
figure 7

Cytotoxicity of MIL-125-NH2@CMC and Thio@MIL-125-NH2@CMC against Vero normal cell line (A), MCF7 (B) and PC3 (C) cancerous cell lines

Full size image

Recently, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have attracted attention as anticancer drug carriers, because of their low toxicity and high efficiency [52]. MOFs have key roles in cancer therapy, where they can be combined with photothermal therapy and photodynamic therapy to improve cancer treatment. MOFs are also specific carriers for medicine delivery. Furthermore, MOFs, when combined with RNA interference, can induce effective gene expression and can be combined with other anticancer techniques to increase therapeutic efficacy [53]. In the current study, anticancer activity of MIL-125-NH2@CMC and Thio@MIL-125-NH2@CMC against MCF7 and PC3 cancerous cell lines was evaluated as illustrated in Figs. 7 B and C. Results revealed that both MIL-125-NH2@CMC and Thio@MIL-125-NH2@CMC exhibited promising anticancer activity, where Thio@MIL-125-NH2@CMC was higher than MIL-125-NH2@CMC. Figure 7B illustrates Thio@MIL-125-NH2@CMC has potential anticancer activity above 50% at concentrations >  = 125 µg/ml against MCF7 cancerous cell line. Also, IC50 of MIL-125-NH2@CMC and Thio@MIL-125-NH2@CMC were 165.75 and 93.16 µg/ml against MCF7, respectively. Likewise, Thio@MIL-125-NH2@CMC exhibited promising anticancer activity toward PC3 cancerous cell line, where IC50 was 88.45 µg/ml. Also, MIL-125-NH2@CMC exhibited moderate anticancer activity against PC3 cancerous cell line, where IC50 was 182.78 µg/ml. Previous studies reported that sulfur-containing compounds have promising anticancer activity [54, 55]. Song, Huang, Mao, Chen, Wang, Yang, Liu, Zhang, Qiu and Chen [56] prepared MIL-125-TI-HA @ DOX, which demonstrated anticancer activity with no toxicity, where electrostatic interaction between DOX (Doxorubicin) amino groups and HA carboxyl groups, as well as the dual protective properties of MIL-125-Ti and HA on medicines, supported the increase in drug loading content.

Conclusion

The biopolymer and MOF-based nanocomposites were prepared. The prepared nanocomposites, namely MIL-125-NH2@CMC and Thio@MIL-125-NH2@CMC, were characterized via physiochemical and topographical analysis. These analyses emphasized the prepared nanocomposite in nanoscale. The prepared composite (Thio@MIL-125-NH2@CMC) exhibited promising antifungal activity against unicellular and multicellular fungi. Likewise, it showed antibacterial activity against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. Moreover, it appeared promising antiviral activity against both HSV1 and COX B4 viruses at MNTC. Furthermore, it showed potential anticancer activity against MCF7 and PC3 cancerous cell lines, where IC50 were 93.16 and 88.45%, respectively.