Fabrication,characterization,and in vitro antitumor activity of docetaxel and curcumin co-encapsulated Zein-hyaluronic acid composite nanoparticles

GUAN Yan-bin; LI Ru-meng; YONG Fu-zhen; WANG Lu-yu; TIAN Yu-dong; SUN Yan-jun

doi:10.20251/j.cnki.1003-3734.2025.21.012

Abstract：Objective:To prepare and characterize docetaxel(Doc)and curcumin(Cur)co-encapsulated zein-hyaluronic acid(HA)composite nanoparticles(Doc-Zein-Cur-HA NPs)and evaluate their in vitro antitumor activity.Methods:Doc-Zein-Cur-HA NPs were prepared using the anti-solvent precipitation method and electrostatic adsorption method.Their particle size,morphology,drug loading,encapsulation efficiency,stability,and in vitro drug release properties were investigated.The effects of Doc-Zein-Cur-HA NPs on the proliferation,migration,and invasion of human prostate cancer PC-3 cells were evaluated using MTT assay,scratch wound assay,and Transwell assay,respectively.The cellular uptake of Doc-Zein-Cur-HA NPs by PC-3 cells at different time points was observed using confocal laser scanning microscopy.Results:The prepared Doc-Zein-Cur-HA NPs were spherical and uniformly distributed,with an average particle size of(133.40±0.07)nm,Zeta potential of-(37.4±0.67)mV,and polydispersity index(PDI)of(0.21±0.01).The encapsulation efficiency and drug loading of Doc were(93.92±0.60)%and(10.89±0.10)%,respectively,while those of Cur were(97.27±0.60)%and(4.69±0.02)%,respectively.The Doc-Zein-Cur-HA NPs exhibited pH-responsive sustained release characteristics and maintained colloidal stability in plasma with no significant size variation,retaining physical stability for 5 days at 4℃.Compared to free drugs,the Doc-Zein-Cur-HA NPs demonstrated significantly enhanced cytotoxicity against PC-3 cells(lower IC50),superior cellular internalization efficiency(P<0.05),and markedly increased inhibition on the healing ability,migration,and invasion of tumor cells(P<0.01).Conclusion:The successfully prepared Doc-Zein-Cur-HA NPs demonstrated excellent sustained-release properties and in vitro antitumor effects.This study provides experimental evidence for the potential treatment of prostate cancer.