Zein-based Nanocarriers as Potential Natural Alternatives for Drug and Gene Delivery: Focus on Cancer Therapy

Abstract

Protein nanocarriers possess unique merits including minimal cytotoxicity, numerous renewable sources, and high drug-binding capability. In opposition to delivery carriers utilizing hydrophilic animal proteins, hydrophobic plant proteins (e.g, zein) have great tendency in fabricating controlled-release particulate carriers without additional chemical modification to stiffen them, which in turn evades the use of toxic chemical crosslinkers. Moreover, zein is related to a class of alcohol-soluble prolamins and generally recognized as safe (GRAS) carrier for drug delivery. Various techniques have been adopted to fabricate zein-based nanoparticulate systems including phase separation coacervation, spray-drying, supercritical anti-solvent approach, electrospinning and self-assembly. This manuscript reviews the recent advances in the zein-based colloidal nano-carrier systems such as nanospheres, nanocapsules, micelles and nanofibers with a special focus on their physicochemical characteristics and drug delivery applications.

Antitumor Features of Vegetal Protein-Based Nanotherapeutics

“…Moreover, TPGS was reported to enhance the accumulation of daidzin in the cells when contained in zein nanoparticles because it is a P-gp inhibitor. In vivo investigations performed using TPGS emulsified-zein particles showed an improvement of the oral bioavailability of daidzin after its nanoencapsulation within the nanosystems [97].…”

Folate Conjugated Vs PEGylated Phytosomal Casein Nanocarriers for Codelivery of Fungal- and Herbal-Derived Anticancer Drugs

“…EAT cells were obtained from the ascitic fluid of inoculated BALB/c mice with 8-10 days old ascitic tumor [37]. Tumor growth was checked daily until its volume reached 100 mm 3 . Tumor volume was assessed based on tumor's perpendicular diameters using the following equation:…”

“…Searching behind nature by the aid of nanobiotechnological approaches represented a powerful strategy in cancer treatment by improving the efficacy of antineoplastic drugs along with reducing their side effects. Throughout the ages, humans have depended on nature to acquire their principle requirements [1][2][3]. Resveratrol (RSV) is one of the most appealing natural phytoalexin antineoplastic drugs by virtue of its apoptotic, antiangiogenesis and aromatase inhibition effect [4].…”

Zein nanoparticles as nontoxic delivery system for maytansine in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer

“…Nanodrug delivery systems are capable of prolonging blood circulation time, numerous renewable sources, high drug-binding, improving drug solubilization, and accumulating at a tumor via the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect (Elzoghby et al, 2017;Pang et al, 2018). Zein, for this purpose, could be a good carrier in this system due to its inherent biocompatibility, nontoxicity, in vivo biodegradability and the capacity of self-assembly (Chen et al, 2019).…”