Folacin C60 derivative exerts a protective activity against oxidative stress-induced apoptosis in rat pheochromocytoma cells

Fullerene [60] encapsulated water-soluble supramolecular cage for prevention of oxidative stress-induced myocardial injury

A water-soluble cube-like supramolecular cage was constructed by an engagement of six molecules through a hydrophobic effect in the water. The obtained cage could perfectly encapsulate one fullerene C₆₀ molecule inside of the cavity and significantly improve the water-solubility of the C₆₀ without changing the original structure. The water-soluble complex was further applied to reduce the reactive oxygen species (R.O.S.) in cardiomyocytes (FMC84) through Akt/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway. Furthermore, in the mouse model of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury, the application of C₆₀ was found to be effective in reducing myocardial injury and improving cardiac function. It also reduced the levels of R.O.S. in myocardial tissue, inhibited myocardial apoptosis, and mitigated myocardial inflammatory responses. The present study provides a new guideline for constructing water-soluble C₆₀ and verifies the important role of C₆₀ in preventing oxidative stress-related cardiovascular disease injury.

Protective effect of reduced glutathione C60 derivative against hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis in HEK 293T cells

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and free radicals cause oxidative stress, which induces cellular injuries, metabolic dysfunction, and even cell death in various clinical abnormalities. Fullerene (C60) is critical for scavenging oxygen free radicals originated from cell metabolism, and reduced glutathione (GSH) is another important endogenous antioxidant. In this study, a novel water-soluble reduced glutathione fullerene derivative (C60-GSH) was successfully synthesized, and its beneficial roles in protecting against H2O2-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in cultured HEK 293T cells were investigated. Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy and (1)H nuclear magnetic resonance were used to confirm the chemical structure of C60-GSH. Our results demonstrated that C60-GSH prevented the reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated cell damage. Additionally, C60-GSH pretreatment significantly attenuated H2O2-induced superoxide dismutase (SOD) consumption and malondialdehyde (MDA) elevation. Furthermore, C60-GSH inhibited intracellular calcium mobilization, and subsequent cell apoptosis via bcl-2/bax-caspase-3 signaling pathway induced by H2O2 stimulation in HEK 293T cells. Importantly, these protective effects of C60-GSH were superior to those of GSH. In conclusion, these results suggested that C60-GSH has potential to protect against H2O2-induced cell apoptosis by scavenging free radicals and maintaining intracellular calcium homeostasis without evident toxicity.

Cu(OAc)2-promoted reaction of [60]fullerene with primary amines or diamines

The Cu(OAc)₂-mediated oxidative dehydrogenative addition of easily available primary amines to C₆₀ allows the concise preparation of aziridinofullerenes. Moreover, the Cu(OAc)₂-promoted reaction of C₆₀ with diamines affords C₆₀-fused cyclic 1,2-diaminated fullerenes.

Effects of fullerene C₆₀ nanoparticles on A549 cells

Fullerene C60 nanoparticles (C60 NPs) have been widely applied in many fields due to their excellent physical and chemical properties. As production and applications of C60 NPs expand, public concern about the potential risk to human health has also risen. The toxicity of C60 NPs was evaluated by the CCK-8 assay using the cultured human epithelial cell line A549. Cellular uptake of the C60 NPs was observed by TEM imaging. In our findings, C60 NPs could readily enter A549 cells and showed no significant toxicity. Exposure of cultured A549 cells to C60 NPs led to an increase of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) while glutathione reductase activity was probably activated to generate more GSH to maintain a cellular oxidation-reduction equilibrium. The A549 cells responded to the ROS increases through the inauguration of autophagic responses, aimed at restoring cellular health and equilibrium.