Surface-Tailored Zein Nanoparticles: Strategies and Applications

Abstract

Plant-derived proteins have emerged as leading candidates in several drug and food delivery applications in diverse pharmaceutical designs. Zein is considered one of the primary plant proteins obtained from maize, and is well known for its biocompatibility and safety in biomedical fields. The ability of zein to carry various pharmaceutically active substances (PAS) position it as a valuable contender for several in vitro and in vivo applications. The unique structure and possibility of surface covering with distinct coating shells or even surface chemical modifications have enabled zein utilization in active targeted and site-specific drug delivery. This work summarizes up-to-date studies on zein formulation technology based on its structural features. Additionally, the multiple applications of zein, including drug delivery, cellular imaging, and tissue engineering, are discussed with a focus on zein-based active targeted delivery systems and antigenic response to its potential in vivo applicability.

Sustainable Biodegradable Biopolymer-Based Nanoparticles for Healthcare Applications

“…Namely, it offers greater bioavailability, protection, and prolonged, controlled, and more effective release of incorporated substances at the target site. Many therapeutic agents have been successfully loaded into zein-based nanoparticles, e.g., doxorubicin, heparin, 5-fluorouracil, coumarin, quercetin, resveratrol, vitamin D3, and different antimicrobials [ 185 , 192 , 193 , 194 ].…”

“…The prepared spherical nanoparticles with a diameter of about 120 nm showed excellent cellular uptake by C6 glioma cells and the ability to penetrate 3D tumor spheroids. Zein is also widely used in tissue engineering [ 192 ]. Hadavi et al [ 196 ] synthesized zein nanoparticles as a delivery system for a bone morphogenic protein-6 (BMP6) derived peptide using a liquid–liquid phase separation method.…”

New Perspective on Natural Plant Protein-Based Nanocarriers for Bioactive Ingredients Delivery

“…The physical modification method can select materials with specific properties (pH response, magnetism, temperature sensitivity, etc.,) and zein solution to form a nanocomposite carrier so that the nanocarriers can quickly release active substances under specific pH, external magnetic field, and different temperature responses [ 82 ]. In addition, chemical modification can obtain some additional properties by changing the chemical groups of zein, mainly including liver protection activity, pH responsiveness, and targeting, among others [ 83 ].…”

Amino Acids, Peptides, and Proteins: Implications for Nanotechnological Applications in Biosensing and Drug/Gene Delivery

“…However, a significant barrier in successful drug delivery is the blood-brain barrier (BBB) that bypasses the chemotherapeutics' intratumoral delivery [153]. Zein is currently important because of its safety, biodegradation capabilities, and sustained drug release characteristics [154]. Novel research indicated that surface functionalization of zein NPs with polydopamine (PD) layers resulted in enhanced solubility, biocompatibility, stability, and flexibility for attachment of various biological functional groups.…”