Single-Step Self-Assembly of Zein–Honey–Chitosan Nanoparticles for Hydrophilic Drug Incorporation by Flash Nanoprecipitation

Abstract

Zein- and chitosan-based nanoparticles have been described as promising carrier systems for food, biomedical and pharmaceutical applications. However, the manufacture of size-controlled zein and chitosan particles is challenging. In this study, an adapted anti-solvent nanoprecipitation method was developed. The effects of the concentration of zein and chitosan and the pH of the collection solution on the properties of the zein–honey–chitosan nanoparticles were investigated. Flash nanoprecipitation was demonstrated as a rapid, scalable, single-step method to achieve the self-assembly of zein–honey–chitosan nanoparticles. The nanoparticles size was tuned by varying certain formulation parameters, including the total concentration and ratio of the polymers. The zein–honey–chitosan nanoparticles’ hydrodynamic diameter was below 200 nm and the particles were stable for 30 days. Vitamin C was used as a hydrophilic model substance and efficiently encapsulated into these nanoparticles. This study opens a promising pathway for one-step producing zein–honey–chitosan nanoparticles by flash nanoprecipitation for hydrophilic compounds’ encapsulation.

Ciprofloxacin-Loaded Zein/Hyaluronic Acid Nanoparticles for Ocular Mucosa Delivery

“…Additionally, Xu et al, reported low EE of CPX in PLA-DEX NPs (1.1 ± 0.04% (CPX at 4 mg/mL) and a mass loading of 8.45 ± 0.31%) in PLGA-PEG NPs the EE was 1.35 ± 0.07% with a loading of 10.79 ± 0.59% [ 79 ]. Furthermore, the encapsulation of other lipophilic compounds into zein NPs is comprehended between 47.80 and 98% [ 18 , 24 , 80 , 81 , 82 , 83 ].…”

“…Hence, flash nanoprecipitation (FNP) is a simple and effective approach to producing NPs with high drug-encapsulation efficiency (EE) [ 16 ]. The FNP technique is based on a rapid mixing that creates high-supersaturation conditions, leading to the precipitation and encapsulation of both hydrophobic and hydrophilic drugs into polymeric NPs [ 16 , 17 , 18 ]. Several studies demonstrated that FNP allows the encapsulation of hydrophobic and hydrophilic drugs with high EE, as we have previously reported [ 18 , 19 ].…”

“…In fact, zein has been widely explored in biomedical applications, namely in the field of pharmaceuticals, due to its physicochemical and biological properties [ 21 ]. Further, zein has been widely applied as a drug carrier due to its biocompatibility and amphiphilic nature which promote the self-assembly process [ 18 , 22 , 23 , 24 ] and the encapsulation of poorly water-soluble compounds [ 25 ]. On the other hand, hyaluronic acid (HA) is a polysaccharide selected due to its mucoadhesive character so that it will increase the pre-corneal residence of the drug [ 26 ].…”

Current Strategies of Photoacoustic Imaging Assisted Cancer Theragnostics toward Clinical Studies

“…The main factors affecting the bioclearance rate of agents include size, surface modification, and charge. For example, the circulating time of nanoparticles (NPs) in blood can be prolonged by reducing the size and achieving homogeneous distribution in tissues . Moreover, previous studies suggested that NPs with a diameter less than 10 nm are most likely to be rapidly cleared by the kidneys .…”

“…For example, the circulating time of nanoparticles (NPs) in blood can be prolonged by reducing the size and achieving homogeneous distribution in tissues. 84 Moreover, previous studies suggested that NPs with a diameter less than 10 nm are most likely to be rapidly cleared by the kidneys. 85 Furthermore, previous research results reveal that the clearance rate depends on the surface medication via affecting their physicochemical properties.…”