Investigation of structural properties of clinoptilolite rich zeolites in simulated digestion conditions and their cytotoxicity against Caco-2 cells in vitro

The use of the clinoptilolite rich natural zeolites in biomedical applications such as in anticancer therapy, drug or drug support systems and as nutritive supplement is highly dependent on their behavior in digestive conditions. Aim of this study is to investigate structural stability of clinoptilolite rich natural zeolites in simulated digestion conditions and their interactions with digestive media and with Caco-2 (human colon adenocarcinoma) cells. X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform InfraRed (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES) analyses of the clinoptilolite rich zeolite samples showed that zeolites preserved their structural stabilities during in vitro digestion. Slight interactions were detected in UV measurements of the digestive liquid media and FTIR spectra of the intestinal digested media powders. SEM results implied that zeolites might have a role in the aggregation of the digestive enzymes. Cytotoxicity test using colon cancer cells showed that clinoptilolite rich natural zeolites have cytotoxic effect against Caco-2 cells and cytotoxicity did not significantly change with respect to simulated digestion process.