SCLAREIN (SCLAREol contained in zeIN) nanoparticles: Development and characterization of an innovative natural...

Sclareol is a labdane diterpene which carries on a broad range of biological activities. However, its poor water solubility and bioavailability are the foremost drawbacks that limit its application in therapeutics. The purpose of this investigation was to develop a natural nanoformulation made up of a biopolymer i.e. zein and sclareol in order to address this issue and to enhance the pharmacological efficacy of the drug. The sclarein nanoparticles (sclareol-loaded zein nanosystems) showed a typical monomodal pattern, characterized by a mean diameter of ~120 nm, a narrow size distribution and a surface charge of ~-30 mV. The evaluation of the entrapment efficiency and the drug-loading capacity of the nanosystems demonstrated the noteworthy ability of the protein matrix to hold sclareol while allowing a gradual release of the compound over time. The nanosystems increased the cytotoxicity of sclareol at a drug concentration of ≥5 μM with respect to the free compound after just 24 h incubation against various cancer cell lines. Indeed, the interaction of tritiated sclarein formulations with cells showed a time-dependent cell uptake of the nanosystems commencing as early as 1 h from the onset of incubation, favouring a significant decrease of the efficacious concentration of the drug.