Mussel-inspired PEGylated carbon nanotubes: biocompatibility evaluation and drug delivery applications

Mussel-Inspired Multifunctional Polyethylene Glycol Nanoparticle Interfaces

Nanoparticles (NPs) are receiving increasing interest in biomedical applications. However, due to their large surface area, in physiological environments, they tend to interact with plasma proteins, inducing their agglomeration and ultimately resulting in a substantial efficiency decrease in diagnostic and therapeutic applications. To overcome such problems, NPs are typically coated with a layer of hydrophilic and biocompatible polymers, such as PEG chains. However, few examples exist in which this property could be systematically fine-tuned and combined with added properties, such as emission. Herein, we report a novel mussel-inspired catechol-based strategy to obtain biocompatible and multifunctional coatings, using a previously developed polymerization methodology based on the formation of disulfide bridges under mild oxidative conditions. Two families of NPs were selected as the proof of concept: mesoporous silica NPs (MSNPs), due to their stability and known applications, and magnetite NPs (Fe3O4 NPs), due to their small size (<10 nm) and magnetic properties. The PEG coating confers biocompatibility on the NPs and can be further functionalized with bioactive molecules, such as glucose units, through the end carboxylic acid moieties. Once we demonstrated the feasibility of our approach to obtaining PEG-based coatings on different families of NPs, we also obtained multifunctional coatings by incorporating fluorescein functionalities. The resulting coatings not only confer biocompatibility and excellent cell internalization, but also allow for the imaging and tracking of NPs within cells.

Exploration of inorganic nanoparticles for revolutionary drug delivery applications: a critical review

The nanosystems for delivering drugs which have evolved with time, are being designed for greater drug efficiency and lesser side-effects, and are also complemented by the advancement of numerous innovative materials. In comparison to the organic nanoparticles, the inorganic nanoparticles are stable, have a wide range of physicochemical, mechanical, magnetic, and optical characteristics, and also have the capability to get modified using some ligands to enrich their attraction towards the molecules at the target site, which makes them appealing for bio-imaging and drug delivery applications. One of the strong benefits of using the inorganic nanoparticles-drug conjugate is the possibility of delivering the drugs to the affected cells locally, thus reducing the side-effects like cytotoxicity, and facilitating a higher efficacy of the therapeutic drug. This review features the direct and indirect effects of such inorganic nanoparticles like gold, silver, graphene-based, hydroxyapatite, iron oxide, ZnO, and CeO2 nanoparticles in developing effective drug carrier systems. This article has remarked the peculiarities of these nanoparticle-based systems in pulmonary, ocular, wound healing, and antibacterial drug deliveries as well as in delivering drugs across Blood-Brain-Barrier (BBB) and acting as agents for cancer theranostics. Additionally, the article sheds light on the plausible modifications that can be carried out on the inorganic nanoparticles, from a researcher's perspective, which could open a new pathway.

The Use of Crystalline Carbon-Based Nanomaterials (CBNs) in Various Biomedical Applications

This review study aims to present, in a condensed manner, the significance of the use of crystalline carbon-based nanomaterials in biomedical applications. Crystalline carbon-based nanomaterials, encompassing graphene, graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide, carbon nanotubes, and graphene quantum dots, have emerged as promising materials for the development of medical devices in various biomedical applications. These materials possess inorganic semiconducting attributes combined with organic π-π stacking features, allowing them to efficiently interact with biomolecules and present enhanced light responses. By harnessing these unique properties, carbon-based nanomaterials offer promising opportunities for future advancements in biomedicine. Recent studies have focused on the development of these nanomaterials for targeted drug delivery, cancer treatment, and biosensors. The conjugation and modification of carbon-based nanomaterials have led to significant advancements in a plethora of therapies and have addressed limitations in preclinical biomedical applications. Furthermore, the wide-ranging therapeutic advantages of carbon nanotubes have been thoroughly examined in the context of biomedical applications.

Drug Delivery With Carbon-Based Nanomaterials as Versatile Nanocarriers: Progress and Prospects

With growing interest, a large number of researches have been conducted on carbon-based nanomaterials (CBNs). However, their uses are limited due to comprehensive potential environmental and human health effects. It is often confusing for researchers to make an informed choice regarding the versatile carbon-based nanocarrier system and its potential applications. This review has highlighted emerging applications and cutting-edge progress of CBNs in drug delivery. Some critical factors like enzymatic degradation, surface modification, biological interactions, and bio-corona have been discussed here. These factors will help to fabricate CBNs for effective drug delivery. This review also addresses recent advancements in carbon-based target specific and release controlled drug delivery to improve disease treatment. The scientific community has turned their research efforts into the development of novel production methods of CBNs to make their production more attractive to the industrial sector. Due to the nanosize and diversified physical properties, these CBNs have demonstrated distinct biological interaction. Thus long-term preclinical toxicity study is recommended before finally translating to clinical application.

When polymers meet carbon nanostructures: expanding horizons in cancer therapy

The development of hybrid materials, which combine inorganic with organic materials, is receiving increasing attention by researchers. As a consequence of carbon nanostructures high chemical versatility, they exhibit enormous potential for new highly engineered multifunctional nanotherapeutic agents for cancer therapy. Whereas many groups are working on drug delivery systems for chemotherapy, the use of carbon nanohybrids for radiotherapy is rarely applied. Thus, nanotechnology offers a wide range of solutions to overcome the current obstacles of conventional chemo- and/or radiotherapies. Within this review, the structure and properties of carbon nanostructures (carbon nanotubes, nanographene oxide) functionalized preferentially with different types of polymers (synthetic, natural) are discussed. In short, synthesis approaches, toxicity investigations and anticancer efficacy of different carbon nanohybrids are described.

Mussel-inspired coordination functional polymer brushes-decorated rGO-stabilized silver nanoparticles composite for antibacterial application

A catechol-terminated coordination functional polymer-modified rGO supported AgNPs composite was fabricated. Grafted polymer brushes improve the material's hydrophilicity and dispersion stability of AgNPs on rGO, enhancing antibacterial activity.

Carbon-Based Nanomaterials for Biomedical Applications: A Recent Study

The study of carbon-based nanomaterials (CBNs) for biomedical applications has attracted great attention due to their unique chemical and physical properties including thermal, mechanical, electrical, optical and structural diversity. With the help of these intrinsic properties, CBNs, including carbon nanotubes (CNT), graphene oxide (GO), and graphene quantum dots (GQDs), have been extensively investigated in biomedical applications. This review summarizes the most recent studies in developing of CBNs for various biomedical applications including bio-sensing, drug delivery and cancer therapy.

Recent advances in the use of carbon nanotubes as smart biomaterials

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have remarkable mechanical, thermal, electronic, and biological properties due to their particular atomic structure made of graphene sheets that are rolled into cylindrical tubes. Due to their outstanding properties, CNTs have been used in several technological fields. Currently, the most prominent research area of CNTs focuses on biomedical applications, using these materials to produce hybrid biosensors, drug delivery systems, and high performance composites for implants. Although a great number of research studies have already shown the advantages of CNT-based biomedical devices, their clinical use for in vivo application has not been consummated. Concerns related to their toxicity, biosafety, and biodegradation still remain. The effect of CNTs on the human body and the ecosystem is not well established, especially due to the lack of standardization of toxicological tests, which generate contradictions in the results. CNTs' toxicity must be clarified to enable the medical use of these exceptional materials in the near future. In this review, we summarize recent advances in developing biosensors, drug delivery systems, and implants using CNTs as smart biomaterials to identify pathogens, load/deliver drugs and enhance the mechanical and antimicrobial performance of implants.

Polydopamine-coated NaGdF4:Dy for T1/T2-weighted MRI/CT multimodal imaging-guided photothermal therapy

T₁/T₂-weighted MRI/CT imaging-guided PTT agent NaGdF₄:Dy@PPF was prepared and demonstrated its promising application for early diagnosis and therapy of tumors.

Polydopamine-Based Multifunctional (Nano)materials for Cancer Therapy

Since Lee published a pioneering paper about polydopamine (PDA), application of that polymer in a number of areas has grown enormously in the last 10 years and is still growing. PDA's spectacular success can be attributed to its unique features, i.e., simple preparation protocol, strong adhesive properties, easy and straightforward functionalization, and biocompatibility. Therefore, this polymer has attracted the attention of a vast group of scientists, including those working in the field of nanomedicine. In consequence, polydopamine has been merged with various nanostructures that differ in size and nature, which has resulted in novel types of multifunctional nanomaterials that have recently been extensively exploited in nanomedicine and particularly in cancer therapy. The aim of this article is to offer insight into the latest achievements (up until the end of 2016) in the field of synthesis and application of nanomaterials based on polydopamine and their application in cancer therapy. The conclusions regarding the application of polydopamine-based nanoplatforms in this area and future prospects are given at the end.