Research Highlights

Nanotechnology-based Herbal Drug Formulation in the Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus

The utilization of nanotechnology-based herbal medication delivery systems is gaining attention as a novel approach to treating diabetes mellitus. The incorporation of nanotechnology into herbal medicine provides benefits such as enhanced Stability, solubility, and bioavailability of herbal medications. The purpose of this paper is to summarise the present status of research on herbal medicine delivery systems based on nanotechnology for the treatment of diabetic patients. The paper evaluates the various nanocarriers and herbal drugs used, the challenges and opportunities in the development of these systems, and their potential efficacy and safety. Additionally, the paper highlights the need for further research to optimize the formulation and delivery of these systems. This review's overarching objective is to provide a complete understanding of the possibilities of herbal medication delivery systems based on nanotechnology in diabetes mellitus treatment.

Effects of Aqueous Dispersions of C60, C70, and Gd@C82 Fullerenes on DNA Oxidative Damage/Repair and Apoptosis in Human Embryonic Lung Fibroblasts

Fullerenes and metallofullerenes play an active role in homeostasis of reactive oxygen species and may cause oxidative damage to cells. As pristine fullerenes are a basis for derivatization, studying oxidative DNA damage/repair and apoptosis is important in terms of genotoxicity and cytotoxicity for their biomedical application. Aqueous dispersions of C₆₀, C₇₀, and Gd@C₈₂ (5 nM and 1.5 μM) were cultured with human fetal lung fibroblasts for 1, 3, 24, and 72 h. Oxidative DNA damage/repair was assessed through concentration of 8-oxodG, double-strand breaks, and activation of BRCA1. Activity of apoptosis was assessed through the BCL2/BAX ratio. All three fullerenes caused oxidative modification of DNA at the early stages; C₆₀ caused the most long-term damage, Gd@C₈₂ caused the most short-term damage, and C₇₀ caused "wave-like" dynamics. The dynamics of DNA repair correlated with the dynamics of oxidative damage, but Gd@C₈₂ caused more prolonged activation of the repair system than C₆₀ or C₇₀. The oxidative toxicity of Gd@C₈₂, is minor and the oxidative toxicity of C₆₀ is mild and short-term, in contrast to C₇₀. In relation to the studied effects, the fullerenes can be arranged in a safety row of Gd@C₈₂ > C₆₀ > C₇₀.

Future Prospects for Clinical Applications of Nanocarbons Focusing on Carbon Nanotubes

Over the past 15 years, numerous studies have been conducted on the use of nanocarbons as biomaterials towards such applications as drug delivery systems, cancer therapy, and regenerative medicine. However, the clinical use of nanocarbons remains elusive, primarily due to short- and long-term safety concerns. It is essential that the biosafety of each therapeutic modality be demonstrated in logical and well-conducted experiments. Accordingly, the fundamental techniques for assessing nanocarbon biomaterial safety have become more advanced. Optimal controls are being established, nanocarbon dispersal techniques are being refined, the array of biokinetic evaluation methods has increased, and carcinogenicity examinations under strict conditions have been developed. The medical implementation of nanocarbons as a biomaterial is in sight. With a particular focus on carbon nanotubes, these perspectives aim to summarize the contributions to date on nanocarbon applications and biosafety, introduce the recent achievements in evaluation techniques, and clarify the future prospects and systematic introduction of carbon nanomaterials for clinical use through practical yet sophisticated assessment methods.

Carbon-based Nanomaterials for delivery of small RNA molecules: a focus on potential cancer treatment applications

BACKGROUND

Nucleic acid-mediated therapy holds immense potential in the treatment of recalcitrant human diseases such as cancer. This is underscored by advances in understanding the mechanisms of gene regulation. In particular, the endogenous protective mechanism of gene silencing known as RNA interference (RNAi) has been extensively exploited.

METHODS

We review here the developments from 2011 to 2021, in the use of nanographene oxide, carbon nanotubes, fullerenes, carbon nanohorns, carbon nanodots and nanodiamonds for the delivery of therapeutic small RNA molecules.

RESULTS

Appropriately designed effector molecules such as small interfering RNA (siRNA), can, in theory, silence the expression of any disease-causing gene. Alternatively, siRNA can be generated in vivo through the introduction of plasmid-based short hairpin RNA (shRNA) expression vectors. Other small RNAs such as micro RNA (miRNA) also function in post-transcriptional gene regulation and are aberrantly expressed under disease conditions. The miRNA-based therapy involves either restoration of miRNA function through the introduction of miRNA mimics; or the inhibition of miRNA function by delivering anti-miRNA oligomers. However, the large size, hydrophilicity, negative charge and nuclease-sensitivity of nucleic acids necessitate an appropriate carrier for their introduction as medicine into cells.

CONCLUSION

While numerous organic and inorganic materials have been investigated for this purpose, the perfect carrier agent remains elusive. In recent years, carbon-based nanomaterials have received widespread attention in biotechnology due to their tunable surface characteristics, mechanical, electrical, optical and chemical properties.

External Electric Field to Control the Diels-Alder Reactions of Endohedral Fullerene

The present work investigates the role of the External Electric Field (EEF) on a Diels-Alder reaction of endohedral fullerene by means of chemical kinetics and quantum chemical calculations. The investigation...

Zebrafish: A Promising Real-Time Model System for Nanotechnology-Mediated Neurospecific Drug Delivery

Delivering drugs to the brain has always remained a challenge for the research community and physicians. The blood-brain barrier (BBB) acts as a major hurdle for delivering drugs to specific parts of the brain and the central nervous system. It is physiologically comprised of complex network of capillaries to protect the brain from any invasive agents or foreign particles. Therefore, there is an absolute need for understanding of the BBB for successful therapeutic interventions. Recent research indicates the strong emergence of zebrafish as a model for assessing the permeability of the BBB, which is highly conserved in its structure and function between the zebrafish and mammals. The zebrafish model system offers a plethora of advantages including easy maintenance, high fecundity and transparency of embryos and larvae. Therefore, it has the potential to be developed as a model for analysing and elucidating the permeability of BBB to novel permeation technologies with neurospecificity. Nanotechnology has now become a focus area within the industrial and research community for delivering drugs to the brain. Nanoparticles are being developed with increased efficiency and accuracy for overcoming the BBB and delivering neurospecific drugs to the brain. The zebrafish stands as an excellent model system to assess nanoparticle biocompatibility and toxicity. Hence, the zebrafish model is indispensable for the discovery or development of novel technologies for neurospecific drug delivery and potential therapies for brain diseases.

Fulleropyrrolidine-functionalized ceria nanoparticles as a tethered dual nanosystem with improved antioxidant properties

Dual-tethered nanosystems which combine different properties at the nano scale represent a new fascinating frontier of research. In the present work, we present an example of a dual nanosystem designed to enhance the radical scavenging performances. Fulleropyrrolidine has been bonded to cerium oxide nanoparticles (nanoceria) to form a dual tethered system. Fulleropyrrolidine, bearing a silyl-alkoxide group, has been chemically bonded to the nanoceria surface, providing unprecedented antioxidant activity. This effect has been evaluated using an L929 mouse fibroblast cell line exposed to UV light. The fulleropyrrolidine molecules tethered to nanoceria enhance the radical scavenging properties of the oxide. At the same time, fulleropyrrolidine mitigates the potential toxicity of nanoceria at high doses. On the other hand, cerium oxide nanoparticles provide a strong hydrophilicity to the dual nanosystem, ensuring the administration in a cellular environment and preventing macroscopic aggregation of fulleropyrrolidine. The rational assembly of two different components in one nanosystem appears as a promising route for the development of "smarter" medical and cosmetic devices.

Interactions of Alginate-Deferoxamine Conjugates With Blood Components and Their Antioxidation in the Hemoglobin Oxidation Model

While deferoxamine (DFO) has long been used as an FDA-approved iron chelator, its proangiogenesis ability attracts increasing number of research interests. To address its drawbacks such as short plasma half-life and toxicity, polymeric conjugated strategy has been proposed and shown superiority. Owing to intravenous injection and application in blood-related conditions, however, the blood interactions and antioxidation of the DFO-conjugates and the mechanisms underlying these outcomes remain to be elucidated. In this regard, incubating with three different molecular-weight (MW) alginate-DFO conjugates (ADs) red blood cells (RBCs), coagulation system, complement and platelet were investigated. To prove the antioxidant activity of ADs, we used hemoglobin oxidation model in vitro. ADs did not cause RBCs hemolysis while reversible aggregation and normal deformability ability were observed. However, the coagulation time, particularly APTT and TT, were significantly prolonged in a dose-dependent manner, and fibrinogen was dramatically decreased, suggesting ADs could dominantly inhibit the intrinsic pathways in the process of coagulation. The dose-dependent anticoagulation might be related with the functional groups along the alginate chains. The complements, C3a and C5a, were activated by ADs in a dose-dependent manner through alternative pathway. For platelet, ADs slightly suppressed the activation and aggregation at low concentration. Based on above results, the cross-talking among coagulation, complement and platelet induced by ADs was proposed. The antioxidation of ADs through iron chelation was proved and the antioxidant activity was shown in a MW-dependent manner.

Direct arylation of C60Cl6 and C70Cl8 with carboxylic acids: a synthetic avenue to water-soluble fullerene derivatives with promising antiviral activity

We report unprecedented Friedel-Crafts arylation of chlorofullerenes C60Cl6 and C70Cl8 with unprotected carboxylic acids as an efficient single-step synthesis of the inherently stable water-soluble fullerene derivatives. Using this method, a series of previously unaccessible compounds was obtained without chromatographic purification in almost quantitative yields. Promising anti-HIV activity comparable to characteristics of commercial drugs was demonstrated for some of these compounds.

Carbon Nanomaterials for the Treatment of Heavy Metal-Contaminated Water and Environmental Remediation

Nanotechnology is an advanced field of science having the ability to solve the variety of environmental challenges by controlling the size and shape of the materials at a nanoscale. Carbon nanomaterials are unique because of their nontoxic nature, high surface area, easier biodegradation, and particularly useful environmental remediation. Heavy metal contamination in water is a major problem and poses a great risk to human health. Carbon nanomaterials are getting more and more attention due to their superior physicochemical properties that can be exploited for advanced treatment of heavy metal-contaminated water. Carbon nanomaterials namely carbon nanotubes, fullerenes, graphene, graphene oxide, and activated carbon have great potential for removal of heavy metals from water because of their large surface area, nanoscale size, and availability of different functionalities and they are easier to be chemically modified and recycled. In this article, we have reviewed the recent advancements in the applications of these carbon nanomaterials in the treatment of heavy metal-contaminated water and have also highlighted their application in environmental remediation. Toxicological aspects of carbon-based nanomaterials have also been discussed.

Strategic use of nanotechnology in drug targeting and its consequences on human health: A focused review

Since the development of first lipid-based nanocarrier system, about 15% of the present pharmaceutical market uses nanomedicines to achieve medical benefits. Nanotechnology is an advanced area to meliorate the delivery of compounds for improved medical diagnosis and curing disease. Nanomedicines are gaining significant interest due to the ultra small size and large surface area to mass ratio. In this review, we discuss the potential of nanotechnology in delivering of active moieties for the disease therapy including their toxicity evidences. This communication will help the formulation scientists in understanding and exploring the new aspects of nanotechnology in the field of nanomedicine.

Carbon Nanotubes and Graphene as Nanoreinforcements in Metallic Biomaterials: a Review

Current challenges in existing metallic biomaterials encourage undertaking research in the development of novel materials for biomedical applications. This paper critically reviews the potential of carbon nanotubes (CNT) and graphene as nanoreinforcements in metallic biomaterials for bone tissue engineering. Unique and remarkable mechanical, electrical, and biological properties of these carbon nanomaterials allow their use as secondary-phase reinforcements in monolithic biomaterials. The nanoscale dimensions and extraordinarily large surface areas of CNT and graphene make them suitable materials for purposeful reaction with living organisms. However, the cytocompatibility of CNT and graphene is still a controversial issue that impedes advances in utilizing these promising materials in clinical orthopedic applications. The interaction of CNT and graphene with biological systems including proteins, nucleic acids, and human cells is critically reviewed to assess their cytocompatibity in vitro and in vivo. It is revealed that composites reinforced with CNT and graphene show enhanced adhesion of osteoblast cells, which subsequently promotes bone tissue formation in vivo. This potential is expected to pave the way for developing ground-breaking technologies in regenerative medicine and bone tissue engineering. In addition, current progress and future research directions are highlighted for the development of CNT and graphene reinforced implants for bone tissue engineering.

Nanotechnological approaches for the development of herbal drugs in treatment of diabetes mellitus - a critical review

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic illness that requires continuing medical care and patient self-management education to prevent acute complications and to reduce the risk of long-term complications. The number of people with diabetes is increasing due to population growth, ageing, urbanisation and increasing prevalence of obesity and physical inactivity. Apart from currently available therapeutic options, many herbal medicines have been recommended for the treatment of diabetes. Herbal drugs are prescribed widely because of their effectiveness, less side effects and relatively low cost. Several pharmacopoeias have provided parameters to maintain quality and standardise procedures in identification/authentication of herbal inputs and their products. Available literature related to folklore medicine used in the treatment of diabetes extended to nanoformulation of herbal drugs up to date was cited. The use of bioactive compounds leads to new hope to improve the life expectancy and health status of the population for the formulation of novel drugs. Recently, many studies have shown that nanotechnology has the potential to be used in different biological and medical applications, mainly as targeted drug delivery systems to minimise and delay the chronic effects of diabetes. Herein, the authors presented a thorough review of the available herbal medicines and the possibilities of developing their nanoformulations in the treatment of DM.

Carbon-based hybrid nanogels: a synergistic nanoplatform for combined biosensing, bioimaging, and responsive drug delivery

Nanosized crosslinked polymer networks, named as nanogels, are playing an increasingly important role in a diverse range of applications by virtue of their porous structures, large surface area, good biocompatibility and responsiveness to internal and/or external chemico-physical stimuli. Recently, a variety of carbon nanomaterials, such as carbon quantum dots, graphene/graphene oxide nanosheets, fullerenes, carbon nanotubes, and nanodiamonds, have been embedded into responsive polymer nanogels, in order to integrate the unique electro-optical properties of carbon nanomaterials with the merits of nanogels into a single hybrid nanogel system for improvement of their applications in nanomedicine. A vast number of studies have been pursued to explore the applications of carbon-based hybrid nanogels in biomedical areas for biosensing, bioimaging, and smart drug carriers with combinatorial therapies and/or theranostic ability. New synthetic methods and structures have been developed to prepare carbon-based hybrid nanogels with versatile properties and functions. In this review, we summarize the latest developments and applications and address the future perspectives of these carbon-based hybrid nanogels in the biomedical field.

Proteins as supramolecular hosts for C60: a true solution of C60 in water

Hybrid systems have great potential for a wide range of applications in chemistry, physics and materials science. Conjugation of a biosystem to a molecular material can tune the properties of the components or give rise to new properties. As a workhorse, here we take a C60@lysozyme hybrid. We show that lysozyme recognizes and disperses fullerene in water. AFM, cryo-TEM and high resolution X-ray powder diffraction show that the C60 dispersion is monomolecular. The adduct is biocompatible, stable in physiological and technologically-relevant environments, and easy to store. Hybridization with lysozyme preserves the electrochemical properties of C60. EPR spin-trapping experiments show that the C60@lysozyme hybrid produces ROS following both type I and type II mechanisms. Due to the shielding effect of proteins, the adduct generates significant amounts of 1O2 also in aqueous solution. In the case of type I mechanism, the protein residues provide electrons and the hybrid does not require addition of external electron donors. The preparation process and the properties of C60@lysozyme are general and can be expected to be similar to other C60@protein systems. It is envisaged that the properties of the C60@protein hybrids will pave the way for a host of applications in nanomedicine, nanotechnology, and photocatalysis.

Improving the productivity of monodisperse polyhedral cages by the rational design of kinetic self-assembly pathways

Hollow polyhedral cages hold great potential for application in nanotechnological and biomedical fields. Understanding the formation mechanism of these self-assembled structures could provide guidance for the rational design of the desired polyhedral cages. Here, by constructing kinetic network models from extensive coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations, we elucidated the formation mechanism of the dodecahedral cage, which is formed by the self-assembly of patchy particles. We found that the dodecahedral cage is formed through increasing the aggregate size followed by structure rearrangement. Based on this mechanistic understanding, we improved the productivity of the dodecahedral cage through the rational design of the patch arrangement of patchy particles, which promotes the structural rearrangement process. Our results demonstrate that it should be a feasible strategy to achieve the rational design of the desired nanostructures via the kinetic analysis. We anticipate that this methodology could be extended to other self-assembly systems for the fabrication of functional nanomaterials.

Investigation of fullerenol-induced changes in poroelasticity of human hepatocellular carcinoma by AFM-based creep tests

In this study, atomic force microscopy (AFM) is used to investigate the alterations of the poroelastic properties of hepatocellular carcinoma (SMMC-7721) cells treated with fullerenol. The SMMC-7721 cells were subject to AFM-based creep tests, and a corresponding poroelastic indentation model was used to determine the poroelastic parameters by curve fitting. Comparative analyses indicated that the both permeability and diffusion of fullerenol-treated cells increased significantly while their elastic modulus decreased by a small amount. From the change in the trend of the determined parameter, we verified the corresponding alternations of cytoskeleton (mainly filaments actin), which was reported by the previous study using confocal imaging method. Our investigation on SMMC-7721 cell reveals that the poroelastic properties could provide a better understanding how the cancer cells are affected by fullerenol or potentially other drugs which could find possible applications in drug efficacy test, cancer diagnosis and secure therapies.

Glycinated fullerenes for tamoxifen intracellular delivery with improved anticancer activity and pharmacokinetics

Aim: Glycine-tethered C60-fullerenes were conjugated with N-desmethyl tamoxifen and evaluated for drug delivery benefits. Materials & methods: C60-fullerenes were functionalized with glycine, and N-desmethyl tamoxifen was conjugated, employing a linker and characterized for micromeritics, drug loading, drug release and evaluated for cancer cell toxicity, cellular uptake and pharmacokinetics. Results: The nanoconjugate with a drug entrapment efficiency of 82.71 ± 6.23% and a drug loading of 66.01 ± 4.98% was hemocompatibile with appreciable MCF-7 cytotoxicity. The confocal results confirmed enhanced uptake of conjugate. Interestingly, pharmacokinetic outcomes of the conjugate were superior and the area under the curve was enhanced by approximately three-times, whereas the drug clearance was reduced by around five-times, after single intravenous injection. Conclusion: The conjugation assured improved availability of drug in a biological system for prolonged duration as well as in the interiors of target cells with a promise of enhanced efficacy and compatibility.

Hydration or hydroxylation: direct synthesis of fullerenol from pristine fullerene [C60] via acoustic cavitation in the presence of hydrogen peroxide

A green low energy approach avoiding the use of toxic or corrosive reagents/solvents is proposed for the synthesis of potential fullerenol moieties [C₆₀(OH)_n·mH₂O], in which C₆₀ in dil. H₂O₂ (30%) aqueous media was ultrasonicated (20 kHz, 200 W) at 30% amplitude for 1 h.

Fullerenol/doxorubicin nanocomposite mitigates acute oxidative stress and modulates apoptosis in myocardial tissue

Fullerenol (C₆₀(OH)₂₄) is present in aqueous solutions in the form of polyanion nanoparticles with particles' size distribution within the range from 15 to 42 nm. In this research it is assumed that these features could enable fullerenol nanoparticles (FNPs) to bind positively charged molecules like doxorubicin (DOX) and serve as drug carriers. Considering this, fullerenol/doxorubicin nanocomposite (FNP/DOX) is formed and characterized by ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry, dynamic light scattering, atomic force microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Measurements have shown that DOX did not significantly affect particle size (23 nm). It is also assumed that FNP/DOX could reduce the acute cardiotoxic effects of DOX in vivo (Wistar rats treated i.p.). In this study, quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction results have shown that treatment with DOX alone caused significant increase in mRNA levels of catalase (p < 0.05) enzyme indicating the presence of oxidative stress. This effect is significantly reduced by the treatment with FNP/DOX (p < 0.05). Furthermore, mRNA levels of antiapoptotic enzyme (Bcl-2) are significantly increased (p < 0.05) in all treated groups, particularly where FNP/DOX was applied, suggesting cell resistance to apoptosis. Moreover, ultrastructural analysis has shown the absence of myelin figures within the mitochondria in the heart tissue with FNP/DOX treatment, indicating reduction of oxidative stress. Hence, our results have implied that FNP/DOX is generally less harmful to the heart compared to DOX.

Single electron transfer promoted photoaddition reactions of α-trimethylsilyl substituted secondary N-alkylamines with fullerene C60

Single electron transfer (SET) promoted photoaddition reactions of secondary N-α-trimethylsilyl-N-alkylamines to C₆₀ were explored to gain a deeper understanding of the mechanistic pathways followed and to expand the library of novel types of organofullerenes that can be generated using this approach. The results show that photoreactions of 10% EtOH-toluene solutions containing C₆₀ and N-α-trimethylsilyl-N-alkylamines produce either aminomethyl-1,2-dihydrofullerenes or symmetric fulleropyrrolidines as major products depending on the nature of alkyl substituents. In contrast, photoreactions of 10% EtOH-ODCB solutions of these amines with C₆₀ mainly lead to the formation of symmetric fulleropyrrolidines. Based on the analysis of product distributions and the results of earlier studies, two feasible mechanistic pathways are proposed for these processes. One route is initiated by SET from the amine substrates to the triplet-excited state of C₆₀ to form the corresponding aminium radicals and C₆₀ anion radicals. EtOH-promoted desilylation of the aminium radicals then takes place to produce aminomethyl radicals which can either add to C₆₀ or couple with the C₆₀ radical anions to form respective radicals or anion precursors of aminomethyl-1,2-dihydrofullerene products. The competing pathway leading to the generation of symmetric fulleropyrrolidines also involves the formation of aminomethyl radicals by using the sequential SET-desilylation process. In this route, the aminomethyl radicals are oxidized by SET to C₆₀ to form iminium ions, which are then transformed to azomethine ylides by a pathway involving a second molecule of the secondary amine. Dipolar cycloaddition of the azomethine ylides to C₆₀ forms the symmetric fulleropyrrolidine cycloadducts. Importantly, the observation that symmetric fulleropyrrolidines are the sole products formed in photoreactions between N-α-trimethylsilyl-N-alkylamines and C₆₀ in 10% EtOH-ODCB has synthetic significance.

Investigation of work of adhesion of biological cell (human hepatocellular carcinoma) by AFM nanoindentation

In this study, we presented an investigation of mechanical properties by AFM nanoindentation on human hepatocellular carcinoma cells treated with fullerenol for 24, 48 and 72 h. AFM nanoindentation was routinely applied to investigate the morphology and biomechanical properties of living carcinoma cells, and adhesion phenomena (negative force) were detected in the obtained force-displacement curves. Conventionally, Hertz contact model has been widely used for determination of cell elasticity, however this contact model cannot account for adhesion. Alternatively, JKR contact model, as expected for adhesion circumstance, has been applied to fit the obtained force-displacement curves. In this investigation, we have derived both the work of adhesion and the elastic modulus of biological cells (human hepatocellular carcinoma) under fullerenol treatment. The results show that the chosen JKR model can provide better fitting results than Hertz contact model. The results show that both Young’s modulus and work of adhesion exhibit significant variation as the treatment time increases. The calculated mechanical properties of elastic modulus and work of adhesion can be used as an effective bio-index to evaluate the effects of fullerenol or other anticancer agents on cancer cells and thus to provide insight into cancer progression in the treatment.

Molecular dynamics simulation study of boron-nitride nanotubes as a drug carrier: from encapsulation to releasing

Understanding the encapsulation and release processes of drug molecules using nanocarriers is vital for the development of nanoscale drug delivery.

Synthesis, self-assembly, and photocrosslinking of fullerene-polyglycerol amphiphiles as nanocarriers with controlled transport properties

In this work, we report a new, simple, gram-scale method for synthesizing water-soluble fullerene-polyglycerol amphiphiles (FPAs) that self-assemble into partially and fully crosslinked nanoclusters with the ability to controllably transport hydrophobic and hydrophilic agents.

Rational engineering of physicochemical properties of nanomaterials for biomedical applications with nanotoxicological perspectives

Innovative engineered nanomaterials are at the leading edge of rapidly emerging fields of nanobiotechnology and nanomedicine. Meticulous synthesis, unique physicochemical properties, manifestation of chemical or biological moieties on the surface of materials make engineered nanostructures suitable for a variety of biomedical applications. Besides, tailored nanomaterials exhibit entirely novel therapeutic applications with better functionality, sensitivity, efficiency and specificity due to their customized unique physicochemical and surface properties. Additionally, such designer made nanomaterials has potential to generate series of interactions with various biological entities including DNA, proteins, membranes, cells and organelles at nano-bio interface. These nano-bio interactions are driven by colloidal forces and predominantly depend on the dynamic physicochemical and surface properties of nanomaterials. Nevertheless, recent development and atomic scale tailoring of various physical, chemical and surface properties of nanomaterials is promising to dictate their interaction in anticipated manner with biological entities for biomedical applications. As a result, rationally designed nanomaterials are in extensive demand for bio-molecular detection and diagnostics, therapeutics, drug and gene delivery, fluorescent labelling, tissue engineering, biochemical sensing and other pharmaceuticals applications. However, toxicity and risk associated with engineered nanomaterials is rather unclear or not well understood; which is gaining considerable attention and the field of nanotoxicology is evolving promptly. Therefore, this review explores current knowledge of articulate engineering of nanomaterials for biomedical applications with special attention on potential toxicological perspectives.

Interaction of C60 fullerenes with asymmetric and curved lipid membranes: a molecular dynamics study

Interaction of fullerenes with asymmetric and curved DOPC/DOPS bicelles is studied by means of coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations. The effects caused by asymmetric lipid composition of the membrane leaflets and the curvature of the membrane are analyzed. It is shown that the aggregates of fullerenes prefer to penetrate into the membrane in the regions of the moderately positive mean curvature. Upon penetration into the hydrophobic core of the membrane fullerenes avoid the regions of the extreme positive or the negative curvature. Fullerenes increase the ordering of lipid tails, which are in direct contact with them, but do not influence other lipids significantly. Our data suggest that the effects of the membrane curvature should be taken into account in the studies concerning permeability of the membranes to fullerenes and fullerene-based drug delivery systems.

A peptide topological template for the dispersion of [60]fullerene in water

Stable dispersions of [60]fullerene in water with concentrations of up to 1.3 mg mL⁻¹ have been obtained using a peptide topological template as the carrier.

The isotopic effects of 13C-labeled large carbon cage (C70) fullerenes and their formation process

¹³C-enriched large carbon cage-based fullerenes were synthesized on a large scale by an arc discharge method.

Exploring carbonic anhydrase inhibition with multimeric coumarins displayed on a fullerene scaffold

This study reports the first synthesis of multimeric suicide inhibitors of carbonic anhydrases.