Anti‐Parkinson's Disease Function of Dioscin‐Zein‐Carboxymethyl Cellulose Nanocomplex in Caenorhabditis elegans

Abstract Nanosized dioscin‐loaded zein‐CMC (DZC) complex comprising dioscin (glycoside saponin), zein (corn protein), and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) is fabricated through anti‐solvent coprecipitation. The optimized ratio of zein to CMC for the homogenous complexation is 5:1, and DZC maintains its stability in a wide range of pH (3.0–8.0) and ionic strength (0–50 m m NaCl). No biological toxicity of DZC is found in Caenorhabditis elegans with a normal lifespan and body size. Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by the loss of dopamine (DA) and dopaminergic neurons. In cat‐2 mutant with defective biosynthesis of DA, DZC‐fed animals show intact DA behaviors including basal slowing response (≈60%) and alcohol avoidance (≈80%). Such DA promotional effects are a result of the enhanced expression/activation of DA transporter, DAT‐1 in DA neurons. Taken together, DZC has a potential for preventing PD as an oral‐administered drugs and supplements.