One-Pot Self-Assembly of Core-Shell Nanoparticles within Fibers by Coaxial Electrospinning for Intestine-Targeted Delivery of Curcumin

Abstract

Nanotechniques for curcumin (Cur) encapsulation provided a potential capability to avoid limitations and improve biological activities in food and pharmaceutics. Different from multi-step encapsulation systems, in this study, zein–curcumin (Z–Cur) core-shell nanoparticles could be self-assembled within Eudragit S100 (ES100) fibers through one-pot coaxial electrospinning with Cur at an encapsulation efficiency (EE) of 96% for ES100–zein–Cur (ES100–Z–Cur) and EE of 67% for self-assembled Z–Cur. The resulting structure realized the double protection of Cur by ES100 and zein, which provided both pH responsiveness and sustained release performances. The self-assembled Z–Cur nanoparticles released from fibermats were spherical (diameter 328 nm) and had a relatively uniform distribution (polydispersity index 0.62). The spherical structures of Z–Cur nanoparticles and Z–Cur nanoparticles loaded in ES100 fibermats could be observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR) and X-ray diffractometer (XRD) revealed that hydrophobic interactions occurred between the encapsulated Cur and zein, while Cur was amorphous (rather than in crystalline form). Loading in the fibermat could significantly enhance the photothermal stability of Cur. This novel one-pot system much more easily and efficiently combined nanoparticles and fibers together, offering inherent advantages such as step economy, operational simplicity, and synthetic efficiency. These core-shell biopolymer fibermats which incorporate Cur can be applied in pharmaceutical products toward the goals of sustainable and controllable intestine-targeted drug delivery.

Advanced 3D Electrospinning “Xspin” System: Fabrication of Bifiber Floating Oral Pharmaceutical Scaffolds for Controlled Drug Delivery

“…This indicated that the ES100–CUR fibers improved the thermal stability of the EPO–RTV fibers in the form of bifibers. These findings align with previous research results and demonstrate the thermal decomposition behavior and thermal stability of the studied materials as characterized by TGA analysis. , …”

Electrospun multi‐chamber core–shell nanofibers and their controlled release behaviors: A review

“…When combined with electrospinning nanotechnology, pH-sensitive materials offer an effective targeted drug delivery system that addresses issues such as nonspecific tissue distribution and facilitates efficient drug therapy. Colon-targeted drug delivery is a typical pH-sensitive drug delivery system, which overcomes the pH changes in the gastrointestinal tract to deliver drugs effectively (Hou et al, 2023). pH-sensitive polymers exhibited limited solubility in acidic environments, while they can dissolve under neutral or alkaline conditions.…”

Preparation and Regulation of Natural Amphiphilic Zein Nanoparticles by Microfluidic Technology

“…Zein, as a plant-derived protein, has unique hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions that enable it to self-assemble into stable nanoparticles, which not only provides an ideal carrier for drug delivery systems but also opens up new avenues for the development of green, sustainable nanomaterials [ 10 ]. At present, the research on zein nanoparticles has been gradually transitioning from basic theoretical exploration to the practical application stage, including optimizing preparation processes, regulating hydrophilic and hydrophobic, improving stability and enhancing targeting [ 11 , 12 , 13 ]. However, there are still issues with how to accurately control the size and enhance the preparation efficiency of zein nanoparticles and dynamically adjust their hydrophilic and hydrophobic interface characteristics.…”