Preparation and characterization of zein nanoparticles as drug carriers

Curcumin is a polyphenol with multiple biological activities, but it extremely poor water solubility severely limits its application. The aim of the present study was to design nanocomposite by using zein and bentonite for controlled release of curcumin under condition of PH = ۵, ۷.۴. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed that curcumin bound to zein through hydrogen bonding. The in- vitro drug release was studied by using UV–Visible spectrophotometer at acidic environment (pH ۵.۰) and physiological pH (pH ۷.۴) and sustained release compared to the curcumin alone. It was found that curcumin drug is released much faster in pH ۵.۰ than in the pH ۷.۴.

Keywords:

Zein , Bentonite , Curcumin , Drug release , Nanocomposite.