Fullerene C60 with cytoprotective and cytotoxic potential: prospects as a novel treatment agent in Dermatology?

Carbon-Based Nanostructures as Emerging Materials for Gene Delivery Applications

Gene therapeutics are promising for treating diseases at the genetic level, with some already validated for clinical use. Recently, nanostructures have emerged for the targeted delivery of genetic material. Nanomaterials, exhibiting advantageous properties such as a high surface-to-volume ratio, biocompatibility, facile functionalization, substantial loading capacity, and tunable physicochemical characteristics, are recognized as non-viral vectors in gene therapy applications. Despite progress, current non-viral vectors exhibit notably low gene delivery efficiency. Progress in nanotechnology is essential to overcome extracellular and intracellular barriers in gene delivery. Specific nanostructures such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs), carbon quantum dots (CQDs), nanodiamonds (NDs), and similar carbon-based structures can accommodate diverse genetic materials such as plasmid DNA (pDNA), messenger RNA (mRNA), small interference RNA (siRNA), micro RNA (miRNA), and antisense oligonucleotides (AONs). To address challenges such as high toxicity and low transfection efficiency, advancements in the features of carbon-based nanostructures (CBNs) are imperative. This overview delves into three types of CBNs employed as vectors in drug/gene delivery systems, encompassing their synthesis methods, properties, and biomedical applications. Ultimately, we present insights into the opportunities and challenges within the captivating realm of gene delivery using CBNs.

Antibacterial efficacy of NanoCare, Fullerene (C60) activated by UV light, and Morinda Oleifera against S.Mutans and bond integrity of composite resin to caries affected dentin

AIM

Assessment of the impact of contemporary disinfection techniques Moringa Oleifera (M. Oleifera), NanoCare Plus Silver Gold® (Nanocare), and Fullerene (C60) on survival rates of S.Mutans and shear bond strength (SBS) of composite to the carious affected dentin (CAD) MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty mandibular molars having caries progression till the middle 1/3rd of the dentin were disinfected. The CAD surface of twenty samples was inoculated with S.mutans. Based on different disinfection regimens samples were arbitrarily assigned to four groups (n:15) Group 1: 2 % CHX, Group 2:NanoCare, Group 3:Fullerene (C60), and Group 4 (M. Oleifera. This was followed by calculating the survival rate of S.mutans. Ten samples from each group were then restored with composite restoration and thermocycled. Assessment of SBS and failure mode was performed using a universal testing machine and stereomicroscope at 40X magnification. Statistical significance among groups was assessed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's test at a significance level of p = 0.05 RESULTS: Group 2 samples treated with NanoCare exhibited the lowest survival rate (0.39 ± 0.02 CFU/ml) of S.Mutans. However, Group 1 (CHX) samples exhibited the highest survival count (0.51±0.10 CFU/ml). Furthermore, the highest composite to CAD bond was observed in Group 3 Fullerene(C60) (18.44±0.25 MPa) samples and the lowest SBS was observed in Group 1 (CHX) (12.48±1.69 MPa) CONCLUSION: Fullerene(C60) and Moringa Oleifera extract hold promise as potential substitutes for chlorhexidine (CHX) in clinical applications, offering the potential for improved S.Mutans elimination and enhanced bond strength to CAD surface.

Carbon Nanomaterial-Based Hydrogels as Scaffolds in Tissue Engineering: A Comprehensive Review

Carbon-based nanomaterials (CBNs) are a category of nanomaterials with various systems based on combinations of sp2 and sp3 hybridized carbon bonds, morphologies, and functional groups. CBNs can exhibit distinguished properties such as high mechanical strength, chemical stability, high electrical conductivity, and biocompatibility. These desirable physicochemical properties have triggered their uses in many fields, including biomedical applications. In this review, we specifically focus on applying CBNs as scaffolds in tissue engineering, a therapeutic approach whereby CBNs can act for the regeneration or replacement of damaged tissue. Here, an overview of the structures and properties of different CBNs will first be provided. We will then discuss state-of-the-art advancements of CBNs and hydrogels as scaffolds for regenerating various types of human tissues. Finally, a perspective of future potentials and challenges in this field will be presented. Since this is a very rapidly growing field, we expect that this review will promote interdisciplinary efforts in developing effective tissue regeneration scaffolds for clinical applications.

Advances in preparation, mechanism and applications of various carbon materials in environmental applications: A review

Carbon-related materials are now widely investigated in a various industrial field due to their excellent and unique qualities. It must be tailored to the application in such a way that it fits the application. At the same time, it needs to be generated in sufficient quantities for commercial use, and the synthesis method is the major sticking point here. Because most new materials are discovered by chance, the synthesis process described here may not be the most effective way to create them. The research is merely a steppingstone to discovering a different approach, and it will continue until the substance is no longer being used. If you're developing materials for any purpose, synthesis processes are essential. Fullerene, carbon nanotubes (CNT), graphene, and MXene are only a few of the carbon-based compounds discussed in this overview study, which also gives a brief prognosis on the materials future. Furthermore, the environmental application of these carbon materials was discussed and commented.

Rare-earth based materials: an effective toolbox for brain imaging, therapy, monitoring and neuromodulation

Brain diseases, including tumors and neurodegenerative disorders, are among the most serious health problems. Non-invasively high-resolution imaging methods are required to gain anatomical structures and information of the brain. In addition, efficient diagnosis technology is also needed to treat brain disease. Rare-earth based materials possess unique optical properties, superior magnetism, and high X-ray absorption abilities, enabling high-resolution imaging of the brain through magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography imaging, and fluorescence imaging technologies. In addition, rare-earth based materials can be used to detect, treat, and regulate of brain diseases through fine modulation of their structures and functions. Importantly, rare-earth based materials coupled with biomolecules such as antibodies, peptides, and drugs can overcome the blood-brain barrier and be used for targeted treatment. Herein, this review highlights the rational design and application of rare-earth based materials in brain imaging, therapy, monitoring, and neuromodulation. Furthermore, the development prospect of rare-earth based materials is briefly introduced.

Endohedral Gd-Containing Fullerenol: Toxicity, Antioxidant Activity, and Regulation of Reactive Oxygen Species in Cellular and Enzymatic Systems

The Gd-containing metallofullerene derivatives are perspective magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents. We studied the bioeffects of a water-soluble fullerene derivative, gadolinium-endohedral fullerenol, with 40−42 oxygen groups (Gd@Fln). Bioluminescent cellular and enzymatic assays were applied to monitor toxicity and antioxidant activity of Gd@Fln in model solutions; bioluminescence was applied as a signaling physiological parameter. The Gd@Fln inhibited bioluminescence at high concentrations (>2·10−1 gL−1), revealing lower toxicity as compared to the previously studied fullerenols. Efficient activation of bioluminescence (up to almost 100%) and consumption of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in bacterial suspension were observed under low-concentration exposure to Gd@Fln (10−3−2·10−1 gL−1). Antioxidant capability of Gd@Fln was studied under conditions of model oxidative stress (i.e., solutions of model organic and inorganic oxidizers); antioxidant coefficients of Gd@Fln were determined at different concentrations and times of exposure. Contents of ROS were evaluated and correlations with toxicity/antioxidant coefficients were determined. The bioeffects of Gd@Fln were explained by hydrophobic interactions, electron affinity, and disturbing of ROS balance in the bioluminescence systems. The results contribute to understanding the molecular mechanism of “hormetic” cellular responses. Advantages of the bioluminescence assays to compare bioeffects of fullerenols based on their structural characteristics were demonstrated.

Applications and Prospects of Nanotechnology in Food and Cosmetics Preservation

Cosmetic and food products containing water are prone to contamination during the production, storage, and transit process, leading to product spoilage and degraded organoleptic characteristics. The efficient preservation of food and cosmetics is one of the most important issues the industry is facing today. The use of nanotechnology in food and cosmetics for preservation purposes offers the possibility to boost the activity of antimicrobial agents and/or promote their safer distribution into the end product upon incorporation into packaging or film constructions. In this review, current preservation strategies are discussed and the most recent studies in nanostructures used for preservation purposes are categorized and analyzed in a way that hopefully provides the most promising strategies for both the improvement of product safety and shelf-life extension. Packaging materials are also included since the container plays a major role in the preservation of such products. It is conclusively revealed that most of the applications refer to the nanocomposites as part of the packaging, mainly due to the various possibilities that nanoscience offers to this field. Apart from that, the route of exposure being either skin or the gastrointestinal system involves safety concerns, and since migration of nanoparticles (NPs) from their container can be measured, concerns can be minimized. Conclusion: Nanomaterial science has already made a significant contribution to food and cosmetics preservation, and rapid developments in the last years reinforce the belief that in the future much of the preservation strategies to be pursued by the two industries will be based on NPs and their nanocomposites.

Carbon-Based Nanomaterials: Carbon Nanotubes, Graphene and Fullerenes in Control of Burns Infections and Wound Healing

Burn injuries are extremely debilitating, resulting in high morbidity and mortality rates around the world. The risk of infection escalates in correlation with impairment of skin integrity, creating a barrier to healing and possibly leading to sepsis. With its numerous advantages over traditional treatment methods, nanomaterial-based wound healing has immense capability for treating and preventing wound infections. Carbon-based nanomaterials (CNMs) owing to their distinctive physicochemical and biological properties have emerged as promising platform for biomedical applications. Carbon nanotubes, graphene, fullerenes, and their nanocomposites have demonstrated broad antimicrobial activity against invasive bacteria, fungi, and viruses causing burn wound infection. The specific mechanisms that govern the antimicrobial activity of CNMs must be understood in order to ensure the safe and effective incorporation of these structures into biomaterials. However, it is challenging to decouple individual and synergistic contributions of physical, chemical, and electrical effects of CNMs on cells. This review reported on significant advances in the application of CNMs in burn wound infection and wound healing, with brief discussion on the interaction between different families of CNMs and microorganisms to assess antimicrobial performance.

Toxicity and Antioxidant Activity of Fullerenol C60,70 with Low Number of Oxygen Substituents

Fullerene is a nanosized carbon structure with potential drug delivery applications. We studied the bioeffects of a water-soluble fullerene derivative, fullerenol, with 10-12 oxygen groups (F10-12); its structure was characterized by IR and XPS spectroscopy. A bioluminescent enzyme system was used to study toxic and antioxidant effects of F10-12 at the enzymatic level. Antioxidant characteristics of F10-12 were revealed in model solutions of organic and inorganic oxidizers. Low-concentration activation of bioluminescence was validated statistically in oxidizer solutions. Toxic and antioxidant characteristics of F10-12 were compared to those of homologous fullerenols with a higher number of oxygen groups:F24-28 and F40-42. No simple dependency was found between the toxic/antioxidant characteristics and the number of oxygen groups on the fullerene’s carbon cage. Lower toxicity and higher antioxidant activity of F24-28 were identified and presumptively attributed to its higher solubility. An active role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the bioeffects of F10-12 was demonstrated. Correlations between toxic/antioxidant characteristics of F10-12 and ROS content were evaluated. Toxic and antioxidant effects were related to the decrease in ROS content in the enzyme solutions. Our results reveal a complexity of ROS effects in the enzymatic assay system.

Biocompatibility of nanomaterials and their immunological properties

Nanomaterials (NMs) have revolutionized multiple aspects of medicine by enabling novel sensing, diagnostic, and therapeutic approaches. Advancements in processing and fabrication have also allowed significant expansion in the applications of the major classes of NMs based on polymer, metal/metal oxide, carbon, liposome, or multi-scale macro-nano bulk materials. Concomitantly, concerns regarding the nanotoxicity and overall biocompatibility of NMs have been raised. These involve putative negative effects on both patients and those subjected to occupational exposure during manufacturing. In this review, we describe the current state of testing of NMs including those that are in clinical use, in clinical trials, or under development. We also discuss the cellular and molecular interactions that dictate their toxicity and biocompatibility. Specifically, we focus on the reciprocal interactions between NMs and host proteins, lipids, and sugars and how these induce responses in immune and other cell types leading to topical and/or systemic effects.

Antagonistic cytoprotective effects of C60 fullerene nanoparticles in simultaneous exposure to benzo[a]pyrene in a molluscan animal model

The hypothesis that C₆₀ fullerene nanoparticles (C₆₀) exert an antagonistic interactive effect on the toxicity of benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) has been supported by this investigation. Mussels were exposed to BaP (5, 50 & 100μg/L) and C₆₀ (C₆₀-1mg/L) separately and in combination. Both BaP and C₆₀ were shown to co-localize in the secondary lysosomes of the hepatopancreatic digestive cells in the digestive gland where they reduced lysosomal membrane stability (LMS) or increased membrane permeability, while BaP also induced increased lysosomal lipid and lipofuscin, indicative of oxidative cell injury and autophagic dysfunction. Combinations of BaP and C₆₀ showed antagonistic effects for lysosomal stability, mTORC1 (mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1) inhibition and intralysosomal lipid (5 & 50μg/L BaP). The biomarker data (i.e., LMS, lysosomal lipidosis and lipofuscin accumulation; lysosomal/cell volume and dephosphorylation of mTORC1) were further analysed using multivariate statistics. Principal component and cluster analysis clearly indicated that BaP on its own was more injurious than in combination with C₆₀. Use of a network model that integrated the biomarker data for the cell pathophysiological processes, indicated that there were significant antagonistic interactions in network complexity (% connectance) at all BaP concentrations for the combined treatments. Loss of lysosomal membrane stability probably causes the release of intralysosomal iron and hydrolases into the cytosol, where iron can generate harmful reactive oxygen species (ROS). It was inferred that this adverse oxidative reaction induced by BaP was ameliorated in the combination treatments by the ROS scavenging property of intralysosomal C₆₀, thus limiting the injury to the lysosomal membrane; and reducing the oxidative damage in the cytosol and to the nuclear DNA. The ROS scavenging by C₆₀, in combination with enhanced autophagic turnover of damaged cell constituents, appeared to have a cytoprotective effect against the toxic reaction to BaP in the combined treatments.

Carbonaceous Nanomaterials-Mediated Defense Against Oxidative Stress

The concept of nanoscale materials and their applications in industrial technologies, consumer goods, as well as in novel medical therapies has rapidly escalated in the last several years. Consequently, there is a critical need to understand the mechanisms that drive nanomaterials biocompatibility or toxicity to human cells and tissues. The ability of nanomaterials to initiate cellular pathways resulting in oxidative stress has emerged as a leading hypothesis in nanotoxicology. Nevertheless, there are a few examples revealing another face of nanomaterials - they can alleviate oxidative stress via decreasing the level of reactive oxygen species. The fundamental structural and physicochemical properties of carbonaceous nanomaterials that govern these anti-oxidative effects are discussed in this article. The signaling pathways influenced by these unique nanomaterials, as well as examples of their applications in the biomedical field, e.g. cell culture, cell-based therapies or drug delivery, are presented. We anticipate this emerging knowledge of intrinsic anti-oxidative properties of carbon nanomaterials to facilitate the use of tailored nanoparticles in vivo.

Pristine C60 Fullerene Nanoparticles Ameliorate Hyperglycemia-Induced Disturbances via Modulation of Apoptosis and Autophagy Flux

Diabetes mellitus is a prevalent metabolic disorder associated with multiple complications including neuropathy, memory loss and cognitive decline. Despite a long history of studies on diabetic complications, there are no effective therapeutic strategies for neuroprotection in diabetes. Hyperglycemia-induced imbalance in programmed cell death could initiate a decline in neural tissue cells viability. Various nanomaterials can induce either cell death or cell survival dependent on the type and surface features. Pristine C₆₀ fullerene is a nontoxic nanomaterial, which exhibits antioxidant and cytoprotective properties. However, the precise molecular mechanism with which the C₆₀ nanoparticle exerts cytoprotective effect in diabetic subjects has not yet been fully addressed. Thus, this study aimed to determine whether C₆₀ fullerene prevents oxidative stress impairment and to explore the effects of C₆₀ fullerene on apoptosis and autophagy in diabetes mellitus to clarify its potential mechanisms. These effects have been examined for olive oil extracted C₆₀ fullerene on the hippocampus of STZ diabetic rats. Up-regulation of Caspase-3, Beclin-1 and oxidative stress indexes and down-regulation of Bcl-2 were observed in the brain of STZ-diabetic rats. The exposure to C₆₀ fullerene for a period of 12 weeks ameliorate redox imbalance, hyperglycemia-induced disturbances in apoptosis and autophagy flux via modulation of Caspase-3, Bcl-2, Beclin-1 and LC3I/II contents. Furthermore, C₆₀ fullerene ameliorated the LC3I/II ratio and prevented extremely increased autophagy flux. Contrarily, pristine C₆₀ fullerene had no modulatory effect on all studied apoptotic and autophagy markers in non-diabetic groups. Therefore, oil extracted C₆₀ fullerene exhibits cytoprotective effect in hyperglycemia-stressed hippocampal cells. The presented results confirm that pristine C₆₀ fullerene nanoparticles can protect hippocampal cells against hyperglycemic stress via anti-oxidant, anti-apoptotic effects and amelioration of autophagy flux. Moreover, C₆₀ fullerene regulates a balance of autophagy via BCL-2/Beclin-1 reciprocal expression that could prevent functional disturbances in hippocampus.

Oxidative Stress and Photodynamic Therapy of Skin Cancers: Mechanisms, Challenges and Promising Developments

Ultraviolet radiation is one of the most pervasive environmental interactions with humans. Chronic ultraviolet irradiation increases the danger of skin carcinogenesis. Probably, oxidative stress is the most important mechanism by which ultraviolet radiation implements its damaging effects on normal cells. However, notwithstanding the data referring to the negative effects exerted by light radiation and oxidative stress on carcinogenesis, both factors are used in the treatment of skin cancer. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) consists of the administration of a photosensitiser, which undergoes excitation after suitable irradiation emitted from a light source and generates reactive oxygen species. Oxidative stress causes a condition in which cellular components, including DNA, proteins, and lipids, are oxidised and injured. Antitumor effects result from the combination of direct tumour cell photodamage, the destruction of tumour vasculature and the activation of an immune response. In this review, we report the data present in literature dealing with the main signalling molecular pathways modified by oxidative stress after photodynamic therapy to target skin cancer cells. Moreover, we describe the progress made in the design of anti-skin cancer photosensitisers, and the new possibilities of increasing the efficacy of PDT via the use of molecules capable of developing a synergistic antineoplastic action.

Antagonistic Interactions between Benzo[a]pyrene and Fullerene (C60) in Toxicological Response of Marine Mussels

This study aimed to assess the ecotoxicological effects of the interaction of fullerene (C60) and benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) on the marine mussel, Mytilus galloprovincialis. The uptake of nC60, B[a]P and mixtures of nC60 and B[a]P into tissues was confirmed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), Liquid Chromatography-High Resolution Mass Spectrometry (LC-HRMS) and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS). Biomarkers of DNA damage as well as proteomics analysis were applied to unravel the interactive effect of B[a]P and C60. Antagonistic responses were observed at the genotoxic and proteomic level. Differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were only identified in the B[a]P single exposure and the B[a]P mixture exposure groups containing 1 mg/L of C60, the majority of which were downregulated (~52%). No DEPs were identified at any of the concentrations of nC60 (p < 0.05, 1% FDR). Using DEPs identified at a threshold of (p < 0.05; B[a]P and B[a]P mixture with nC60), gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis indicated that these proteins were enriched with a broad spectrum of biological processes and pathways, including those broadly associated with protein processing, cellular processes and environmental information processing. Among those significantly enriched pathways, the ribosome was consistently the top enriched term irrespective of treatment or concentration and plays an important role as the site of biological protein synthesis and translation. Our results demonstrate the complex multi-modal response to environmental stressors in M. galloprovincialis.

Fullerene-based delivery systems

With the development of new drugs, there have been many attempts to explore innovative delivery routes. Targeted delivery systems are a desired solution designed to overcome the deficiency of routine methods. To transform this idea into reality, a wide range of nanoparticles has been proposed and studied. These nanoparticles should interact well with biological environments and pass through cell membranes to deliver therapeutic molecules. One of the pioneer classes of carbon-based nanoparticles for targeted delivery is the fullerenes. Fullerenes have a unique structure and possess suitable properties for interaction with the cellular environment. This short review concentrates on newly developed fullerene derivatives and their potential as advanced delivery systems for pharmaceutical applications.

A new family of fullerene derivatives: Fullerene-curcumin conjugates for biological and photovoltaic applications

The synthesis and characterization of a family of [60]fullerocurcuminoids obtained via Bingel reactions is reported. The new C60 derivatives include curcumin and curcuminoids with a variety of end groups. Preliminary biological experiments show the potential activity of the compound containing a curcumin addend, which exhibits moderate anti-HIV-1 and radical scavenger properties, but no anti-cancer activity. In addition, the new fullerocurcuminoids exhibit HOMO/LUMO energy levels that are reasonably matched with those of perovskites and when they were tested in perovskite solar cells (PSCs) as the electron transporting material (ETM), photoconversion efficiencies ranging from 14.04%-14.95% were obtained, whereas a value of 16.23% was obtained for [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PC61BM) based devices.

Near-Infrared Switchable Fullerene-Based Synergy Therapy for Alzheimer's Disease

C60 has a special dual function; it can act as both a powerful reactive oxygen species (ROS) producer under UV or visible light and an ROS scavenger in the dark. However, ROS has double-edged effects in living systems. It is still a great challenge for biomedical application to switch and adjust the two opposite properties of C60 in one system. Herein, UCNP@C60 -pep (UCNP: upconversion nanoparticle, pep: Aβ-target peptide KLVFF) is designed as a near-infrared-switchable nanoplatform for synergy therapy of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Under near-infrared (NIR) light, the Aβ-targeting hybrid nanoparticles produce ROS and result in Aβ photooxygenation, which can hinder Aβ aggregation and mitigate the attendant cytotoxicity. In the dark, UCNP@C60 -pep shows protective effects against the increased oxidative stress. The ROS-generating and ROS-quenching abilities of UCNP@C60 -pep are both beneficial for decreasing Aβ-induced neurotoxicity and extending the longevity of the commonly used transgenic AD model Caenorhabditis elegans CL2006. Moreover, UCNP@C60-pep can also be used for upconversion luminescence (UCL) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which has benefits for "image-guided therapy." This study may offer a new perspective for the biological applications of C60 .

Review on the Antimicrobial Properties of Carbon Nanostructures

Swift developments in nanotechnology have prominently encouraged innovative discoveries across many fields. Carbon-based nanomaterials have emerged as promising platforms for a broad range of applications due to their unique mechanical, electronic, and biological properties. Carbon nanostructures (CNSs) such as fullerene, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), graphene and diamond-like carbon (DLC) have been demonstrated to have potent broad-spectrum antibacterial activities toward pathogens. In order to ensure the safe and effective integration of these structures as antibacterial agents into biomaterials, the specific mechanisms that govern the antibacterial activity of CNSs need to be understood, yet it is challenging to decouple individual and synergistic contributions of physical, chemical and electrical effects of CNSs on cells. In this article, recent progress in this area is reviewed, with a focus on the interaction between different families of carbon nanostructures and microorganisms to evaluate their bactericidal performance.