Functionalization of carboxylated multiwall nanotubes with imidazole derivatives and their toxicity investigations

Genes expression profiling of alveolar macrophages exposed to non-functionalized, anionic and cationic multi-walled carbon nanotubes shows three different mechanisms of toxicity

Functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) have become the focus of increased research interest, particularly in their application as tools in different areas, such as the biomedical field. Despite the benefits associated with functionalization of MWCNT, particularly in overcoming issues relating to solubility, several studies have demonstrated that these functionalized nanoparticles display different toxicity profiles. For this study, we aim to compare NR8383 cells responses to three well-characterized MWCNT with varying functional groups. This study employed cytotoxicity assays, transcriptomics and proteomics to assess their toxicity using NR8383 rat alveolar macrophages as an in vitro model. The study findings indicated that all MWCNT altered ribosomal protein translation, cytoskeleton arrangement and induced pro-inflammatory response. Only functionalized MWCNT alter mTOR signaling pathway in conjunction with increased Lamtor gene expression. Furthermore, the type of functionalization was also important, with cationic MWCNT activating the transcription factor EB and inducing autophagy while the anionic MWCNT altering eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4 (EIF4) and phosphoprotein 70 ribosomal protein S6 kinase (p70S6K) signaling pathway as well as upregulation Tlr2 gene expression. This study proposes that MWCNT toxicity mechanisms are functionalization dependent and provides evidence that inflammatory response is a key event of carbon nanotubes toxicity.

Synthesis and evaluation of multi-wall carbon nanotube-paclitaxel complex as an anti-cancer agent

AIM

The aim of this study was to design multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) loaded with paclitaxel (PTX) anti-cancer drug and investigate its anti-cancerous efficacy of human gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) represent a novel nano-materials applied in various fields such as drug delivery due to their unique chemical properties and high drug loading.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In this study, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) pre-functionalized covalently with a paclitaxel (PTX) as an anti-cancer drug and evaluated by different analyses including, scanning electron microscope (SEM), particle size analyzer and cellular analyses.

RESULTS

A well conjugated of anti-cancer drug on the carbon nanotube surfaces was shown. This study demonstrates that the MWCN-PTX complex is a potentially useful system for delivery of anti-cancer drugs. The flow cytometry, CFU and MTT assay results have disclosed that MWCNT/PTXs might promote apoptosis in MKN-45 gastric adenocarcinoma cell line.

CONCLUSION

According to results, our simple method can be designed a candidate material for chemotherapy. It has presented a few bio-related applications including, their successful use as a nano-carriers for drug transport.

Synthesis of Isatin Derivative on the Short Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes and Their Effect on the MKN-45 and SW742 Cancer Cells

The carboxylated short multiwalled carbon nanotubes (Sh-MWCNT-COOH) were first modified by isatin derivative to form Sh-MWCNT-Amide and then by hydrazine to produce Sh-MWCNT-Spiro. All products were characterized by the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope, elemental analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, derivative thermogravimetric, solubility test, and cellular investigations. This functionalization has been chosen due to active sites of OH and carbonyl groups in Sh-MWCNT-Amide which might be used as functional materials in the future. Toxicity of these samples was evaluated with human gastric and colon cancer cells, and killed cell numbers were measured by reduction of living cells with 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide. Cellular results showed high toxicity of Sh-MWCNT-Amide in all samples investigated.

Functionalization of Carboxylated Multi-Wall Nanotubes with Derivatives ofN1-(11H-Indeno[1,2-b]quinoxalin-11-ylidene)benzene-1,4-diamine

Quinoxaline derivatives are compounds with pharmaceutical applications. In this study, derivatives ofN1-(11H-indeno[1,2-b]quinoxalin-11-ylidene)benzene-1,4-diamine were synthesized and attached to carboxylated multi-wall nanotubes (MWNT–COOH). Functionalized carbon nanotubes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to study the shape of structures, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), fast Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), Raman spectroscopy, and elemental analysis.

Nanotoxicology and nanoparticle safety in biomedical designs

Nanotechnology has wide applications in many fields, especially in the biological sciences and medicine. Nanomaterials are applied as coating materials or in treatment and diagnosis. Nanoparticles such as titania, zirconia, silver, diamonds, iron oxides, carbon nanotubes, and biodegradable polymers have been studied in diagnosis and treatment. Many of these nanoparticles may have toxic effects on cells. Many factors such as size, inherent properties, and surface chemistry may cause nanoparticle toxicity. There are methods for improving the performance and reducing toxicity of nanoparticles in medical design, such as biocompatible coating materials or biodegradable/biocompatible nanoparticles. Most metal oxide nanoparticles show toxic effects, but no toxic effects have been observed with biocompatible coatings. Biodegradable nanoparticles are also used in the efficient design of medical materials, which will be reviewed in this article.