Design, Synthesis, an‎d Characterization of a Novel Nanocomposite Based on Zein an‎d Silk Fibroin Nanoparticles, an‎d eva‎luation of Its Performance an‎d Biological Properties as a Drug Carrier for Cancer Therapy

10/22/2026 12:00:00 AM

In this study, a novel nanocomposite based on zein nanoparticles conjugated with folic acid (Zein–FA) an‎d coated with silk fibroin an‎d L-lysine was designed an‎d synthesized via the antisolvent method to serve as a biocompatible an‎d targeted carrier for the co-delivery of mitoxantrone an‎d crocin. The synthesis, purification, an‎d characterization of the system were performed using FT-IR, FE-SEM, an‎d EDX analyses, an‎d the zeta potential was measured to eva‎luate colloidal stability. The results showed that pure zein exhibited an almost neutral surface charge (−1.8 ± 0.7 mV); folic acid conjugation significantly increased the negative surface charge (−73.6 ± 0.9 mV), an‎d after coating with silk fibroin an‎d L-lysine, the high negative charge was maintained (−69.8 ± 0.5 mV), confirming good colloidal stability of both formulations. The particle size distribution histogram of Zein–FA nanoparticles revealed an average diameter of 66.93 nm. FE-SEM images indicated that pure zein displayed an irregular sheet-like morphology, whereas after modification with folic acid, it transformed into spherical nanoparticles with an average size of approximately 66.93 nm. In the final nanocomposite, the presence of silk fibroin an‎d L-lysine resulted in a completely altered morphology, forming a three-dimensional porous an‎d fibrous network. This interwoven fibrous structure with micro- an‎d macropores enhanced the surface area, improved interparticle interactions, an‎d provided multiple active sites for efficient drug loading an‎d controlled release. Drug loading was carried out using three different concentrations of mitoxantrone (0.5, 1, an‎d 2 mg) an‎d a constant amount of crocin (0.5 mg), with all operational steps calibrated based on absorption data. The prepared system successfully encapsulated both drugs with high efficiency—average encapsulation efficiency (EE%) of 86.83% for mitoxantrone an‎d 41.08% for crocin. Drug release studies conducted in simulated blood (pH = 7.4) an‎d tumor (pH = 5) environments showed a sustained an‎d pH-dependent release pattern. Mitoxantrone exhibited controlled release up to ~30% at pH = 5 an‎d less than 4% at pH = 7.4, confirming the pH-sensitive behavior of the nanocomposite. Crocin, used for its antioxidant an‎d cytoprotective effects—particularly in reducing chemotherapy-induced damage to cardiac an‎d renal tissues—was released in both media, enhancing its bioavailability. Overall, the structural characterization, encapsulation performance, an‎d release behavior demonstrate that the Zein–FA nanocomposite coated with silk fibroin an‎d L-lysine provides a stable, biocompatible, an‎d targeted platform for the co-delivery of mitoxantrone an‎d crocin in breast cancer therapy.

دارورساني هدفمند , سرطان سينه , زئين , سيلك فيبروئين , ميتوكسانترون

targeted drug delivery , breast cancer , zein , silk fibroin , mitoxantrone

leila rabiee

dr mohamadreza naimi jamal