Engineered Whey Protein Nanoparticles for Intracellular Drug Delivery

Protein-based nanoparticles, composed of water-soluble proteins, represent a promising platform for reducing side effects during drug delivery. They enhance the solubility, stability, and bioavailability of hydrophobic therapeutic agents while maintaining high biocompatibility and biodegradability in vivo. These nanoparticles are nontoxic and capable of encapsulating both hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs, making them highly versatile. In this study, we explored the potential of whey proteins derived from bovine milk to engineer nanoparticles for efficient drug delivery. Whey proteins, traditionally regarded as waste byproducts of cheese production, have recently gained attention for their potential in drug encapsulation, thanks to their excellent biocompatibility and biodegradability. We synthesized two types of nanoparticles based on a previously engineered whey protein, named Matrix and Core–shell. Following their characterization, we investigated their effects on cellular uptake, cytotoxicity, and cell proliferation, using a curcumin extract with known anticancer properties as a model drug. The study demonstrated that whey protein nanoparticles are highly efficient in drug encapsulation, with both types of nanoparticles exhibiting efficient cellular uptake and enhanced cytotoxicity at higher concentrations in tumor cells compared to healthy cells. These results confirm the potential of whey protein nanoparticles as a platform for targeted drug delivery, particularly in cancer therapy. Overall, this research underscores the promise of whey protein-based nanoparticles as an innovative, sustainable, and effective approach to advancing targeted cancer therapy.