The utilization of polymer/metal organic framework (MOF) nanocomposites in various biomedical applications has been widely studied due to their unique properties that arise from MOFs or hybrid composite systems. This review focuses on the types of polymer/MOF nanocomposites used in drug delivery and imaging applications. Initially, a comprehensive introduction to the synthesis and structure of MOFs and bio-MOFs is presented. Subsequently, the properties and the performance of polymer/MOF nanocomposites used in these applications are examined, in relation to the approach applied for their synthesis: (i) non-covalent attachment, (ii) covalent attachment, (iii) polymer coordination to metal ions, (iv) MOF encapsulation in polymers, and (v) other strategies. A critical comparison and discussion of the effectiveness of polymer/MOF nanocomposites regarding their synthesis methods and their structural characteristics is presented.

Four new polyesters based on 1,3-propanediol and different aliphatic dicarboxylic acids were used to prepare ropinirole HCl-loaded nanoparticles. The novelty of this study lies in the use of polyesters with similar melting points but different degrees of crystallinity, varying from 29.8% to 67.5%, as drug nanocarriers. Based on their toxicity to human umbilical vein endothelial cells, these aliphatic polyesters were found to have cytotoxicity similar to that of polylactic acid and so may be considered as prominent drug nanocarriers. Drug encapsulation in polyesters was performed via an emulsification/solvent evaporation method. The mean particle size of drug-loaded nanoparticles was 164–228 nm, and the drug loading content was 16%–23%. Wide angle X-ray diffraction patterns showed that ropinirole HCl existed in an amorphous state within the nanoparticle polymer matrices. Drug release diagrams revealed a burst effect for ropinirole HCl in the first 6 hours, probably due to release of drug located on the nanoparticle surface, followed by slower release. The degree of crystallinity of the host polymer matrix seemed to be an important parameter, because higher drug release rates were observed in polyesters with a low degree of crystallinity.