Nano-engineered materials based on fullerenes: synthesis and biomedical applications

摘要

The nanoengineering of various materials for biomedical application has became in the last decade one of the most important research areas, due to the continuous struggle to find new and more efficient instruments for the therapy of cancer and other diseases. Attempts to obtain functionalized derivatives of fullerene seek the synthesis of water-soluble materials, in order to investigate their effects in physiological conditions. International studies on the biological properties of fullerenes and their derivatives, are now targeted towards anti-tumor effects, pharmacology and their involvement in oxidative stress. Their toxicity, demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo is important for characterization and selection of applications. Phototoxicity of some molecules of fullerenes has been identified as future therapeutic tool. The present paper describes the synthesis, characterization and some biomedical applications of some nanomaterials based on fullerenes.