10.57647/jnsc.2026.1603.15

Zein–Lecithin Nanoparticle Encapsulation of Eucommia ulmoides Leaf Total Flavonoids: Controlled-Release Kinetics and Physicochemical Stability

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  • Xin-yu Wang1,
  • Jian-wei Jiang2,3,4,
  • Wen Wen1,
  • Yong-li Ma1,
  • Min Wu1,
  1. Department of Pharmacy, Hangzhou TCM Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310007, China
  2. Department of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310022, China
  3. Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhejiang, 310018, China
  4. Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Oncology Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese

Received: 03-01-2026

Revised: 27-01-2026

Accepted: 04-02-2026

Published in Issue 30-06-2026

Copyright (c) 2026 Xin-yu Wang, Jian-wei Jiang, Wen Wen, Yong-li Ma, Min Wu (Author)

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Wang, X.- yu, Jiang, J.- wei, Wen, W., Ma, Y.- li, & Wu, M. (2026). Zein–Lecithin Nanoparticle Encapsulation of Eucommia ulmoides Leaf Total Flavonoids: Controlled-Release Kinetics and Physicochemical Stability. Journal of Nanostructure in Chemistry, 16(3 (June 2026). https://doi.org/10.57647/jnsc.2026.1603.15
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Abstract

Total flavonoids from Eucommia ulmoides leaves (EUTF) show poor aqueous solubility and limited oral bioavailability, restricting their use in functional foods and pharmaceutical formulations. This work developed an oral nano-delivery system by encapsulating EUTF into zein–lecithin hybrid nanoparticles (ZL-EUTF-NPs) fabricated via anti-solvent co-precipitation and optimized by the zein:lecithin mass ratio. The optimized formulation (Z:L = 1:1) produced spherical nanoparticles with a mean hydrodynamic diameter of 155.2 ± 5.2 nm, PDI 0.18 ± 0.02, and zeta potential −35.6 ± 1.5 mV, consistent with a stable colloidal dispersion. Encapsulation efficiency and loading capacity reached 85.3 ± 2.1% and 8.5 ± 0.2%, respectively. FTIR, XRD, and DSC indicated that EUTF was molecularly dispersed in an amorphous state within the protein–lipid matrix through non-covalent interactions. In simulated gastrointestinal conditions, ZL-EUTF-NPs limited EUTF release to 14.2 ± 1.8% during 2 h in simulated gastric fluid (pH 1.2) and enabled sustained intestinal release, reaching 72.8 ± 3.1% after 10 h total incubation. Release in simulated intestinal fluid was best fitted by the Korsmeyer–Peppas model (R² = 0.995; n = 0.67), indicating anomalous (non-Fickian) transport governed by coupled diffusion and matrix erosion. The encapsulated EUTF retained high antioxidant activity (DPPH 82.1 ± 2.8%; ABTS 89.5 ± 3.0% at 50 µg/mL equivalent), while the nanocarrier showed low cytotoxicity (cell viability ≥85% across 10–200 µg/mL equivalent EUTF) and efficient time-dependent uptake in Caco-2 cells. Physicochemical stability testing showed minimal changes under refrigerated storage with 94.5 ± 2.6% flavonoid retention after 90 days at 4°C. Overall, zein–lecithin hybrid nanoparticles provide a practical strategy to enhance EUTF stability and modulate intestinal release for oral applications.

Keywords

  • Eucommia ulmoides leaf flavonoids,
  • Nanoencapsulation,
  • Controlled release,
  • Physicochemical stability,
  • Zein-lecithin nanoparticles
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