The objective of
this work is to design and fabricate a natural
zein-based nanocomposite with core–shell structure for the
delivery of anticancer drugs. As for the design, folate-conjugated
zein (Fa-zein) was synthesized as the inner hydrophobic core; soy
lecithin (SL) and carboxymethyl chitosan (CMC) were selected as coating
components to form an outer shell. As for fabrication, a novel and
appropriate atomizing/antisolvent precipitation process was established.
The results indicated that Fa-zein/SL/CMC core–shell nanoparticles
(FZLC NPs) were successfully produced at a suitable mass ratio of
Fa-zein/SL/CMC (100:30:10) and the freeze-dried FZLC powder showed
a perfect redispersibility and stability in water. After that, docetaxel
(DTX) as a model drug was encapsulated into FZLC NPs at different
mass ratios of DTX to FZLC (
MR
). When
MR
= 1:15, DTX/FZLC NPs were obtained with high encapsulation efficiency
(79.22 ± 0.37%), small particle size (206.9 ± 48.73 nm),
and high zeta potential (−41.8 ± 3.97 mV). DTX was dispersed
in the inner core of the FZLC matrix in an amorphous state. The results
proved that DTX/FZLC NPs could increase the DTX dissolution, sustain
the DTX release, and enhance the DTX cytotoxicity significantly. The
present study provides insight into the formation of zein-based complex
nanocarriers for the delivery of anticancer drugs.
The objective of this work is to formulate a zein-based nanocomposite for the delivery of natural polyphenols. A proprietary atomizing/antisolvent precipitation (AAP) process was used to prepare carboxymethyl chitosan (CMC)-coated...
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