A theoretical survey on the D7d [84]fullerene, a fullerene with two heptagon rings

C60-fullerenes for delivery of docetaxel to breast cancer cells: A promising approach for enhanced efficacy and better pharmacokinetic profile

Docetaxel has always attracted the researchers owing to its promises and challenges. Despite marked efficacy, concerns like poor aqueous solubility, lower bioavailability, poor tissue penetration and dose related side-effects offer further scope of research on docetaxel. The present study aims to explore the potential of C60-fullerenes in the delivery of docetaxel to cancerous cells. C60-fullerenes were carboxylated, acylated and conjugated with the drug. The chemical processes were monitored by UV, FT-IR and NMR spectroscopy. The conjugate was further characterized for drug loading, micromeritics, drug release, morphology and evaluated for in-vitro cytotoxicity, haemolysis and in-vivo pharmacokinetic profile. The developed nanoconstruct was able to enhance the bioavailability of docetaxel by 4.2 times and decrease the drug clearance by 50%. The developed system was able to control the drug release and was found to be compatible with erythrocytes. The cytotoxic potential on studied MCF-7 and MDA-MB231 cell lines was also enhanced by many folds, indicating marked promise in efficacy enhancement and dose reduction. The present findings are encouraging and offer a technique to enhance the delivery and efficacy potential of anticancer agents, especially belonging to BCS class IV.

Unwilling U–U bonding in U2@C80: cage-driven metal–metal bonds in di-uranium fullerenes

Experimentally known U₂@C₈₀ has a double ferromagnetic U–U bond. U–U bonding in diuranium fullerenes is fine-tuned by the cage.

Dynamic motion of an Lu pair inside a C76(Td) cage

The dynamic motion of an Lu pair inside a C₇₆(T_d) cage was investigated by relativistic density functional theory (DFT).