title: Beta-casein-based nanovehicles for oral delivery of chemotherapeutic drugs: drug-protein interactions and mitoxantrone loading capacity.
abstract: Beta-casein (beta-CN), a major milk protein, is amphiphilic and self-associates into micelles in aqueous solutions. We have recently introduced a novel oral drug delivery system based on beta-CN nanoparticles. The current research builds on and complements this work by studying the interactions of mitoxantrone (MX) and beta-CN as they co-assemble into nanoparticles, using absorption and emission spectra, static and dynamic light scattering, and fluorescent emission of both MX and tryptophan 143 (Trp143) of beta-CN. The optimal loading molar ratio was 3.3 MX/beta-CN at 1 mg/mL beta-CN, and the association constant was (2.45 +/- 1.76) x 10(5) M(-1) based on beta-CN Trp143 fluorescence; independent MX fluorescence results provided supporting values. In these conditions a bimodal particle distribution was obtained (174.4 nm, 45.9%; 485.1 nm, 54.1%). The gastric digestibility of beta-CN suggests possible targeting to stomach tumors. Hence, beta-CN nanoparticles have potential to serve as effective vehicles of hydrophobic drugs for oral delivery preparations. From the clinical editor: Beta-casein (b-CN) is an amphiphilic milk protein that self-associates into micelles in aqueous solutions and can be utilized as a novel oral drug delivery system. This study investigates the basic properties of a mitoxantrone delivery system based on the above principles.
authors.affiliation: Russell Berrie Nanotechnology Institute, Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel.
authors.forename: Alina
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shapira
authors.forename: Gilad
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Markman
authors.forename: Yehuda G
authors.initials: YG
authors.lastname: Assaraf
authors.forename: Yoav D
authors.initials: YD
authors.lastname: Livney
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D002364:Caseins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods; D004347:Drug Interactions; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008823:Micelles; D008942:Mitoxantrone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D010316:Particle Size; D014364:Tryptophan / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D002364:Caseins; D008823:Micelles; D014364:Tryptophan; D008942:Mitoxantrone