Rational Fabrication of Folate-Conjugated Zein/Soy Lecithin/Carboxymethyl Chitosan Core-Shell Nanoparticles for Delivery of Docetaxel

Research advances in Zein-based nano-delivery systems

Zein is the main vegetable protein from maize. In recent years, Zein has been widely used in pharmaceutical, agriculture, food, environmental protection, and other fields because it has excellent biocompatibility and biosafety. However, there is still a lack of systematic review and research on Zein-based nano-delivery systems. This paper systematically reviews preparation and modification methods of Zein-based nano-delivery systems, based on the basic properties of Zein. It discusses the preparation of Zein nanoparticles and the influencing factors in detail, as well as analyzing the advantages and disadvantages of different preparation methods and summarizing modification methods of Zein nanoparticles. This study provides a new idea for the research of Zein-based nano-delivery system and promotes its application.

Transferrin-Bearing, Zein-Based Hybrid Lipid Nanoparticles for Drug and Gene Delivery to Prostate Cancer Cells

Gene therapy holds great promise for treating prostate cancer unresponsive to conventional therapies. However, the lack of delivery systems that can transport therapeutic DNA and drugs while targeting tumors without harming healthy tissues presents a significant challenge. This study aimed to explore the potential of novel hybrid lipid nanoparticles, composed of biocompatible zein and conjugated to the cancer-targeting ligand transferrin. These nanoparticles were designed to entrap the anti-cancer drug docetaxel and carry plasmid DNA, with the objective of improving the delivery of therapeutic payloads to prostate cancer cells, thereby enhancing their anti-proliferative efficacy and gene expression levels. These transferrin-bearing, zein-based hybrid lipid nanoparticles efficiently entrapped docetaxel, leading to increased uptake by PC-3 and LNCaP cancer cells and significantly enhancing anti-proliferative efficacy at docetaxel concentrations exceeding 1 µg/mL. Furthermore, they demonstrated proficient DNA condensation, exceeding 80% at polymer-DNA weight ratios of 1500:1 and 2000:1. This resulted in increased gene expression across all tested cell lines, with the highest transfection levels up to 11-fold higher than those observed with controls, in LNCaP cells. These novel transferrin-bearing, zein-based hybrid lipid nanoparticles therefore exhibit promising potential as drug and gene delivery systems for prostate cancer therapy.

Recent Advances in Zein-Based Nanocarriers for Precise Cancer Therapy

Cancer has emerged as a leading cause of death worldwide. However, the pursuit of precise cancer therapy and high-efficiency delivery of antitumor drugs remains an enormous obstacle. The major challenge is the lack of a smart drug delivery system with the advantages of biodegradability, biocompatibility, stability, targeting and response release. Zein, a plant-based protein, possesses a unique self-assembly ability to encapsulate anticancer drugs directly or indirectly. Using zein as a nanotherapeutic pharmaceutic preparation can protect anticancer drugs from harsh environments, such as sunlight, stomach acid and pepsin. Moreover, the surface functionalization of zein is easily realized, which can endow it with targeting and stimulus-responsive release capacity. Hence, zein is an ideal nanocarrier for the precise delivery of anticancer drugs. Combined with our previous research experiences, we attempt to review the current state of the preparation of zein-based nanocarriers for anticancer drug delivery. The challenges, solutions and development trends of zein-based nanocarriers for precise cancer therapy are discussed. This review will provide a guideline for precise cancer therapy in the future.

Development of carboxymethyl chitosan-coated zein/soy lecithin nanoparticles for the delivery of resveratrol

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 zein/soy lecithin (SL) nanoparticles (ZLC NPs). At a suitable mass ratio of zein/SL/CMC (100 : 30 : 30), ZLC NPs with desirable redispersibility and physicochemical stability were successfully fabricated. After that, resveratrol (Res) as the representative natural polyphenol was encapsulated in ZLC NPs. The optimized Res/ZLC NPs exhibited a spherical morphology, small size (259.43 ± 2.47 nm), large zeta potential (-47.7 ± 0.66 mV), and high encapsulation efficiency (91.32 ± 4.01%) and loading capacity (5.27 ± 0.35%). Further characterization indicated that Res was encapsulated in the hydrophobic core of the ZLC matrix in an amorphous state. Compared to free Res, Res/ZLC NPs showed a 2.55-fold increase in the Res dissolution rate, a 2.27-fold increase in bioaccessibility, and a 1.69-fold increase in ABTS˙⁺ scavenging activity. Also, Res/ZLC NPs showed a higher Res retention rate (>68.0%) than free Res (<35.0%) over 45 days of storage. Therefore, ZLC NPs have promising potential as vehicles for natural polyphenols.

Zein-based nanoparticles: Preparation, characterization, and pharmaceutical application

Zein, as one of the natural and GRAS proteins in plant, is renewable, nontoxic, biocompatible and biodegradable. Over the past decade, many research efforts have been devoted to zein-based biomaterials for several industrial applications. Combining with research experiences in our research group, the preparation methods, characterizations and pharmaceutical applications of zein-based nanoparticles were summarized in this review. Zein NPs with different particle nanostructures have been prepared by chemical crosslinking, desolvating, dispersing and micromixing strategies. The pharmaceutical applications of zein NPs are mainly focus on the drug delivery. Zein NPs can improve the drug stability, increase the oral bioavailability, control the drug release and enhance the drug targeting, thereby improving the pharmaceutical effect effectively. More efforts are required to analyze the relationship among preparation methods, particle nanostructures and pharmaceutical properties in virtue of quality by design approach, and further promote the scale-up production and clinical application of zein NPs.

Glucose-Modified Zein Nanoparticles Enhance Oral Delivery of Docetaxel

Based on glucose (G) transporters (GLUTs), structuring nanoparticles with G as a target are an effective strategy to enhance oral bioavailability and anti-tumor effects of drugs. A novel drug delivery system using G-modified zein (GZ) nanoparticles loaded with docetaxel (DTX) (DTX-GNPs) was prepared and characterized in vitro and in vivo via assessment of cellular uptake, absorption site, pharmacokinetics, ex vivo distribution, and anti-tumor effects. The DTX-GNPs were approximately 120 nm in size. Compared with DTX-NPs, G modification significantly enhanced cellular uptake of DTX-GNPs by 1.22 times in CaCo-2 cells, which was related to GLUT mediation and the enhancement of endocytosis pathways via clathrin, micropinocytosis, and caveolin. Compared to DTX-NPs, G modification significantly enhanced DTX-NP absorption in the jejunum and ileum, delayed plasma concentration peak time, prolonged the average residence time in vivo, and increased oral bioavailability (from 43.82% to 96.04%). Cellular uptake and oral bioavailability of DTX were significantly affected by the G modification ratio. Compared with DTX-NPs, G modification significantly reduced drug distribution in the liver, lungs, and kidneys and increased tumor distribution and tumor growth inhibition rate without obvious systemic toxicity. This study demonstrated the potential of GZ-NPs as nanocarriers for DTX to enhance oral bioavailability and anti-tumor effects.