Easy preparation, characterization and cytotoxic investigation of 5-Fluorouracil-loaded zein/sericin nanoblends

In this study, for the first time, 5-Fluorouracil was entrapped in blend nanosystems made up of sericin and zein by means of an easy and economic approach. The nanoblends showed mean sizes of 100-150 nm, a monodispersed population, high stability in serum, 6 months storage stability and the possibility to be freeze-dried. In addition, the colloidal blend systems showed a greater ability to hold the bioactive compound as compared to the zein nanosystems, and promoted a gradual release of the drug. The nanoblend preserved the pharmacological activity of 5-Fluouracil against cancer cells, suggesting the potential application of this novel formulation in antitumor therapy.