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International Journal of Molecular... Jul 2021Research on carbon-based nanomaterials, such as carbon nanotubes, graphene and its derivatives, nanodiamonds, fullerenes, and other nanosized carbon allotropes, has...
Research on carbon-based nanomaterials, such as carbon nanotubes, graphene and its derivatives, nanodiamonds, fullerenes, and other nanosized carbon allotropes, has experienced sharp exponential growth over recent years [...].
Topics: Animals; Fullerenes; Graphite; Humans; Nanodiamonds; Nanostructures; Nanotubes, Carbon; Quantum Dots
PubMed: 34299346
DOI: 10.3390/ijms22147726 -
International Journal of Nanomedicine 2014Fullerenes are among the strongest antioxidants and are characterized as "radical sponges." The research on biomedicinal applications of fullerenes has achieved... (Review)
Review
Fullerenes are among the strongest antioxidants and are characterized as "radical sponges." The research on biomedicinal applications of fullerenes has achieved significant progress since the landmark publication by Friedman et al in 1993. Fullerene-biomolecule conjugates have become an important area of research during the past 2 decades. By a thorough literature search, we attempt to update the information about the synthesis of different types of fullerene-biomolecule conjugates, including fullerene-containing amino acids and peptides, oligonucleotides, sugars, and esters. Moreover, we also discuss in this review recently reported data on the biological and pharmaceutical utilities of these compounds and some other fullerene derivatives of biomedical importance. While within the fullerene-biomolecule conjugates, in which fullerene may act as both an antioxidant and a carrier, specific targeting biomolecules conjugated to fullerene will undoubtedly strengthen the delivery of functional fullerenes to sites of clinical interest.
Topics: Antioxidants; Biopolymers; Drug Compounding; Fullerenes; Nanocapsules; Particle Size
PubMed: 24379667
DOI: 10.2147/IJN.S52829 -
European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry Aug 2022Metallofullerenols (MFs) are functionalized endohedral fullerenes connecting at least three levels of organization of matter: atomic, molecular, and supramolecular,... (Review)
Review
Metallofullerenols (MFs) are functionalized endohedral fullerenes connecting at least three levels of organization of matter: atomic, molecular, and supramolecular, resulting in their unique activity at the nanoscale. Biomedical applications of MFs started from gadolinium-containing contrasting agents, but today their potential medical applications go far beyond diagnostics and magnetic resonance imaging. In many cases, preclinical studies have shown a great therapeutic value of MFs, and here we provide an overview of interactions of MFs with high-energy radiation and with reactive oxygen species generated during radiation as a ground for potential applications in modern therapy of cancer patients. We also present the current knowledge on interactions of MFs with proteins and with other components of cells and tissues. Due to their antioxidant properties, as well as their ability to regulate the expression of genes involved in apoptosis, angiogenesis, and stimulation of the immune response, MFs can contribute to inhibition of tumor growth and protection of normal cells. MFs with enclosed gadolinium act as inhibitors of tumor growth in targeted therapy along with imaging techniques, but we hope that the data gathered in this review will help to accelerate further progress in the implementation of MFs, also the ones containing rare earth metals other than gadolinium, in a broad range of bioapplications covering not only diagnostics and bioimaging but also radiation therapy and cancer treatment by not-cytotoxic agents.
Topics: Contrast Media; Fullerenes; Gadolinium; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Neoplasms
PubMed: 35665690
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114481 -
International Journal of Molecular... Apr 2022Developing photoactivatable theranostic platforms with integrated functionalities of biocompatibility, targeting, imaging contrast, and therapy is a promising approach...
Developing photoactivatable theranostic platforms with integrated functionalities of biocompatibility, targeting, imaging contrast, and therapy is a promising approach for cancer diagnosis and therapy. Here, we report a theranostic agent based on a hybrid nanoparticle comprising fullerene nanocrystals and gold nanoparticles (FGNPs) for photoacoustic imaging and photothermal therapy. Compared to gold nanoparticles and fullerene crystals, FGNPs exhibited stronger photoacoustic signals and photothermal heating characteristics by irradiating light with an optimal wavelength. Our studies demonstrated that FGNPs could kill cancer cells due to their photothermal heating characteristics in vitro. Moreover, FGNPs that are accumulated in tumor tissue via the enhanced permeation and retention effect can visualize tumor tissue due to their photoacoustic signal in tumor xenograft model mice. The theranostic agent with FGNPs shows promise for cancer therapy.
Topics: Animals; Cell Line, Tumor; Fullerenes; Gold; Humans; Metal Nanoparticles; Mice; Nanoparticles; Neoplasms; Photoacoustic Techniques; Phototherapy; Photothermal Therapy; Precision Medicine; Theranostic Nanomedicine
PubMed: 35563077
DOI: 10.3390/ijms23094686 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) May 2021The development of novel nanoparticles as a new generation therapeutic drug platform is an active field of chemistry and cancer research. In recent years, fullerene... (Review)
Review
The development of novel nanoparticles as a new generation therapeutic drug platform is an active field of chemistry and cancer research. In recent years, fullerene nanoparticles have received extensive attention due to their unique physical and chemical properties. Properly modified fullerene nanoparticles have excellent biocompatibility and significant anti-tumor activity, which makes them have broad application prospects in the field of cancer therapy. Therefore, understanding the anti-tumor mechanism of fullerene nanoparticles is of great significance for the design and development of anti-tumor drugs with low toxicity and high targeting. This review has focused on various anti-tumor mechanisms of fullerene derivatives and discusses their toxicity and their distribution in organisms. Finally, the review points out some urgent problems that need solution before fullerene derivatives as a new generation of anti-tumor nano-drug platform enter clinical research.
Topics: Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; Cell Cycle; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Proliferation; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; Drug Delivery Systems; Drug Design; Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor; Fullerenes; Humans; Mice; Nanomedicine; Nanoparticles; Neoplasm Metastasis; Neoplasms; Neovascularization, Pathologic
PubMed: 34071369
DOI: 10.3390/molecules26113252 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jul 2022Numerous experiments have revealed that fullerene (C) and its derivatives can bind to proteins and affect their biological functions. In this study, we explored the...
Numerous experiments have revealed that fullerene (C) and its derivatives can bind to proteins and affect their biological functions. In this study, we explored the interaction between fullerine and the β-adrenergic receptor (βAR). The MD simulation results show that fullerene binds with the extracellular loop 2 (ECL2) and intracellular loop 2 (ICL2) of βAR through hydrophobic interactions and π-π stacking interactions. In the C_in1 trajectory, due to the π-π stacking interactions of fullerene molecules with PHE and PRO residues on ICL2, ICL2 completely flipped towards the fullerene direction and the fullerene moved slowly into the lipid membrane. When five fullerene molecules were placed on the extracellular side, they preferred to stack into a stable fullerene cluster (a deformed tetrahedral aggregate), and had almost no effect on the structure of βAR. The hydroxyl groups of fullerene derivatives (C(OH), X represents the number of hydroxyl groups, X = 4, 8) can form strong hydrogen bonds with the ECL2, helix6, and helix7 of βAR. The hydroxyl groups firmly grasp the βAR receptor like several claws, blocking the binding entry of ligands. The simulation results show that fullerene and fullerene derivatives may have a significant effect on the local structure of βAR, especially the distortion of helix4, but bring about no great changes within the overall structure. It was found that C did not compete with ligands for binding sites, but blocked the ligands' entry into the pocket channel. All the above observations suggest that fullerene and its derivatives exhibit certain cytotoxicity.
Topics: Binding Sites; Fullerenes; Hydrogen Bonding; Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; Ligands; Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-2
PubMed: 35889435
DOI: 10.3390/molecules27144562 -
The Israel Medical Association Journal... Oct 2012The role of carbon in the development of life and as the structural backbone of all organisms is universally accepted and an essential part of evolution. However, the... (Review)
Review
The role of carbon in the development of life and as the structural backbone of all organisms is universally accepted and an essential part of evolution. However, the molecular basis is largely unknown and the interactions of carbon with nitrogen and oxygen in space are enigmatic. In 1985, the previously unknown form of carbon, coined fullerene, was discovered. We hypothesize that by virtue of the unique properties of fullerene, this hollow, ultra-robust, large, purely carbon molecule was the earliest progenitor of life. It acted as a stable universal biologic template on which small molecules spontaneously assembled and then formed, by further assembly, a surface mantle (here termed rosasome) of larger molecules. We submit that this process, by its inherent flexibility, initiated evolution, allowing the emergence of parallel diverse rosasome lines responding selectively to varying spatial environments. For example, rosasomal lines mantled with nucleotide and peptide layers are conceived as primordial forerunners of the ubiquitous ribosome. Moreover, the parallel independent and interdependent evolution of rosasome lines would be more rapid than sequential development, refute precedence of either DNA or RNA, and explain the evolution of integration of two subunits with different structures and functions in ribosomes and of the triplet nature of the codon. Based on recent astronomical data, this hypothesis supports the concept that life is not a singularity. This concept also suggests a potential vehicle for therapeutics, biotechnology and genetic engineering.
Topics: DNA; Evolution, Molecular; Fullerenes; Humans; Models, Biological; Origin of Life; Peptide Biosynthesis; Ribosomes
PubMed: 23193780
DOI: No ID Found -
European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry Feb 2022Fullerenes have attracted considerable attention for their possible use in human therapy. Pure C is soluble only in some organic solvents, but this could be overcome by... (Review)
Review
Fullerenes have attracted considerable attention for their possible use in human therapy. Pure C is soluble only in some organic solvents, but this could be overcome by chemical modifications. This review investigates the derivatization strategies and biological applications of fullerene C by using polar "active" molecules as sugars and amino acids/peptides that allow the increase of solubility in water. The effect of glycosylation on biological activity of fullerene can be divided in indirect and direct action. The "indirect action" of sugars correlates with their ability to make fullerene soluble in water but glycosylation can be also exploited for the target delivery; accordingly, glyco-derivatives of fullerenes have been investigated in PDT (photodynamic therapy), as inhibitors of in HIV-1 protease or against neurodegenerative diseases. The "direct action" involves fullerenes conjugated with sugars having a defined therapeutic role and the "multivalency" is the properties that ensures a good biological activity of glycofullerene derivatives. Increasing the sugars attached to fullerene intensifies the multivalency needed to efficiently use these glycosylated nanoparticles as potential ligands for receptors and enzymes that mediate the infection of viruses and bacteria (e.g. E. Coli, Ebola or Dengue viruses). Also, amino acids-derivatives of fullerenes have been studied as anti-infective agents (against viruses such as cytomegalovirus and HIV), thanks to their immunological properties; derivatives as fullerenol or by linking tuftsin on a C core could be exploited as immunogenic nano-carriers. Alternatively fullerene conjugated with amino acids or peptides is investigated in the treatments of pathologies that request new approaches (Alzheimer, cancer, mixed connective tissue disease, lupus).
Topics: Escherichia coli; Fullerenes; Humans; Peptides; Solubility; Water
PubMed: 35051749
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114104 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Apr 2017The purification of endohedral metallofullerenes by high performance liquid chromatography is very time-consuming and expensive. A number of rapid and inexpensive... (Review)
Review
The purification of endohedral metallofullerenes by high performance liquid chromatography is very time-consuming and expensive. A number of rapid and inexpensive non-chromatographic methods have thus been developed for large-scale purification of metallofullerenes. In this review, we summarize recent advances in non-chromatographic purification methods of metallofullerenes. Lewis acid-based complexation is one of the most efficient and powerful methods for separation of metallofullerenes from empty fullerenes. The first oxidation potential of metallofullerenes is a critical factor that affects the separation efficiency of the Lewis acid-based method. Supramolecular methods are effective for separation of fullerenes and metallofullerenes that are different in size and shape. Chemical/electrochemical reduction and exohedral functionalization are also utilized to separate and purify metallofullerenes on a large scale.
Topics: Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Fullerenes; Lewis Acids; Organosilicon Compounds; Oxidation-Reduction; Photochemical Processes
PubMed: 28468241
DOI: 10.3390/molecules22050718 -
Nature Communications Jun 2017Mimicking biological structures such as fruits and seeds using molecules and molecular assemblies is a great synthetic challenge. Here we report peanut-shaped...
Mimicking biological structures such as fruits and seeds using molecules and molecular assemblies is a great synthetic challenge. Here we report peanut-shaped nanostructures comprising two fullerene molecules fully surrounded by a dumbbell-like polyaromatic shell. The shell derives from a molecular double capsule composed of four W-shaped polyaromatic ligands and three metal ions. Mixing the double capsule with various fullerenes (that is, C, C and ScN@C) gives rise to the artificial peanuts with lengths of ∼3 nm in quantitative yields through the release of the single metal ion. The rational use of both metal-ligand coordination bonds and aromatic-aromatic π-stacking interactions as orthogonal chemical glue is essential for the facile preparation of the multicomponent, biomimetic nanoarchitectures.
Topics: Arachis; Fullerenes; Metals; Models, Molecular; Nanostructures; Plant Extracts; Seeds
PubMed: 28656977
DOI: 10.1038/ncomms15914