Development of alantolactone-loaded zein and shellac nanoparticles for controlled release in simulated gastrointestinal digestion

Alantolactone (ALT) is a sesquiterpene lactone compound extracted from Aucklandia and Aucklandia Enolide. The fast metabolism, short solubility range, and low bioavailability of ALT limit its prospects for further development in clinical applications. To enhance the delivery efficacy, stability, and regulated release of ALT in the gastrointestinal system, ALT-loaded zein-shellac composite nanoparticles (NPs) were created. The amount ratio of zein to shellac in the optimum formulation of the NP was 1:1. ALT-loaded NPs had an average size of 289.57 ± 2.08 nm and an encapsulation efficiency (EE) of up to 75.89 ± 0.25%. The controlled release of ALT in the gastrointestinal tract was made possible by ALT-loaded zein-shellac complex NPs. ALT-loaded NPs can scavenge DPPH and ABTS free radicals as high as 40.7% and 55.6%, respectively. In the in vitro antitumor studies, the ALT-loaded NPs showed cytotoxicity to U87-MG cells and reduced the viability of the cells to 16.0%.