Fullerene C60

Fullerenes C60 and their applications in Biotechnology field

The C60 fullerene, thanks to its small size, can easily cross the so-called blood-brain barrier. This property can lead to numerous medical applications, especially in the field of nanomedicines, through the implementation of new active compounds that could be used by the brain.

The molecule can act as a semiconductor, conductor and superconductor under specific conditions. Fullerenes can display the photochromic effect, which is a change in light transmission based on intensity.Ability to form compounds with many different sorts of material including the ability to retain other substances inside the molecule and the ability to absorb free radicals.

Fullerenes are relatively safe and inert, and yet have properties that allow the substance to create active derivatives.

Synthesized via a Solvent-Free Method. [1]

Green chemistry.

Environmentally friendly synthesis using renewable energy. [2]

[1] Solvents and volatiles are removed by subjecting the C60 to a controlled heat-cool process under dynamic inert medical nitrogen in order to suppress oxidation and preserve its pristine nature.
[2] Hydroelectric powered plant in Quebec.

Fullerene C60 Applications in Biotech

• Treatment of various neuronal problems.
• Development of new drugs for the brain, associating its antioxidant and antiaggregant properties.
• Biomedical applications, like the design of high-performance MRI contrast agents and X-ray imaging contrastagents. [A] [B]
• Light-activated antimicrobial agents. [C]
• Used as a carrier for gene and drug delivery systems.
• They are used for serum protein profiling as MELDI material for biomarker discovery.
• Potential antiviral activity, which has strong implications on the treatment of HIV-infection.
• Anti-aging agent in the cosmetic sector.
• Fullerenes can be made to be absorbed by HeLa cells. Recent experiments using HeLa cells in cancer research involves the development of new photosensitizers with increased ability to be absorbed by cancer cells and still trigger cell death. It is also important that a new photosensitizer does not stay in the body for a long time to prevent unwanted cell damage.

References

Studied properties of fullerene derivatives:

A “Multifunctional fullerene and metallofullerene based nanobiomaterials”
Author(s): G. Lalwani and B. Sitharaman,NanoLIFE 08/2013; 3:1342003. DOI: 10.1142/S1793984413420038.

B “Cationic Fullerenes Are Effective and Selective Antimicrobial Photosensitizers”
Author(s): Tegos, G. P.; Demidova, T. N.; Arcila-Lopez, D.; Lee, H.; Wharton, T.; Gali, H.; Hamblin, M. R. (2005). Chemistry & Biology. 12 (10): 1127–1135. Ref: Cationic Fullerenes Are Effective and Selective Antimicrobial Photosensitizers

C “The present and future role of photodynamic therapy in cancer treatment“
Author(s): Brown, S.B.; Brown, E.A.; Walker, I. (2004). Lancet Oncology. 5 (8): 497–508. Ref: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanonc/article/PIIS1470-2045(04)01529-3/fulltext

Fullerenol C60

Fullerenol C60 and their applications in Biotechnology field

Many of the proposed fullerene applications are to be practical technologies in a wide range of areas such as IT devices, diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, environmental, and energy industries. The direct application of Fullerenol C60 and fullerene and their derivatives to biological targets is now yielding promising applications in medicine.

Such attention to them is caused by unique chemical and physical properties of the fullerene core, including their photodynamic properties. The hydrophobic spheroid and the radical sponge character of fullerene are responsible for the activity in different fields.

Synthesized via a Solvent-Free Method. [1]

Green chemistry.

Environmentally friendly synthesis using renewable energy. [2]

[1] Solvents and volatiles are removed by subjecting the C60 to a controlled heat-cool process under dynamic inert medical nitrogen in order to suppress oxidation and preserve its pristine nature.
[2] Hydroelectric powered plant in Quebec.

Fullerenol C60 Applications in Biotech

• Antimicrobial activity.
• Carrier for gene and drug delivery systems.
• Pro-oxidants.
• Cytotoxic or protective effect respectively against cancer cells or healthy cells.
• Transfer of contrast agents or in drug transport.
• Protect neurons in the particular areas of the brain.
• Application in neuroscience.
• Diagnostic application.
• In the future provide a solid alternative to currently used pharmacological methods in chemotherapy, treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and radiobiology.

References

“Fullerenols as a New Therapeutic Approach in Nanomedicine”
Author(s): Jacek Grebowski (A), Paulina Kazmierska (B), and Anita Krokosz (A)
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/751913

A. Department of Molecular Biophysics, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, ul. Pomorska 141/143, 90-236 Lodz, Poland.
B. Department of Neurobiology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, ul. Pomorska 141/143, 90-236 Lodz, Poland.

“Synthesis and Biological Activity of Fullerenols with Various Contents of Hydroxyl Groups”
Author(s): M. Yu. Eropkin, E. Yu. Melenevskaya, K. V. Nasonova, T. S. Bryazzhikova, E. M. Eropkina, D. M. Danilenko & O. I. Kiselev. Pharmaceutical Chemistry Journal volume 47, pages87–91(2013) DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11094-013-0901-x

“Fullerenols: Physicochemical properties and applications”
Author(s): lK.N.Semenov (A), N.A.Charykov (B), V.N.Postnov (A), V.V.Sharoyko (A), I.V.Vorotyntsev (C), M.M.Galagudza (D), I.V.Murin (A). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.progsolidstchem.2016.04.002

A. Saint Petersburg State University, 198504 St. Petersburg, Russia.
B. Saint Petersburg State Technological Institute (Technical University), 190013 St. Petersburg, Russia.
C. Nizhny Novgorod State Technical University n.a. R.E. Alekseev, Nanotechnology and Biotechnology Department, 603950 Nizhny Novgorod, Russia.
D. Federal North-West Medical Research Centre, Institute of Experimental Medicine, 197341 St. Petersburg, Russia.

IC60BA

Applications in Biotechnology field

Fullerenes have attracted the attention due to their potential as antiviral agents and several studies indicate that fullerene derivatives are possible candidates for the development of novel anti-influenza drugs.

Fullerenes have generated considerable interest for their unique structural and chemical properties.

Advantages

Antiproliferative and antibacterial activity.

Excellent antioxidant activity.

Inhibitor of HIV-reverse transcriptase.

IC60BA Applications in Biotech

Why is it important to look for new drugs?

• Quick development of drug-resistance.
• Frequent mutations of strains.
• To have especially active small molecular inhibitors in controlling pandemics while vaccines are developed.

References

“Anti-Influenza Activity of C60 Fullerene Derivatives”
Author(s): Masaki Shoji , Etsuhisa Takahashi , Dai Hatakeyama , Yuma Iwai , Yuka Morita , Riku Shirayama , Noriko Echigo , Hiroshi Kido , Shigeo Nakamura , Tadahiko Mashino , Takeshi Okutani , Takashi Kuzuhara *. Published June 13, 2013. Ref: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0066337

“Progress of small molecular inhibitors in the development of anti-influenza virus agents”
Author(s): Xiaoai Wu, Xiuli Wu, Qizheng Sun, Chunhui Zhang, ShengYong Yang, Lin Li and Zhiyun Jia. *.Published: 2017.02.08. Ref: https://www.thno.org/v07p0826

“Novel Endonuclease Inhibitor Exhibits Broad-Spectrum Anti-Influenza Virus Activity In Vitro”
Author(s): Jeremy C. Jones, Bindumadhav M. Marathe, Christian Lerner, Lukas Kreis, Rodolfo Gasser, Philippe Noriel Q. Pascua, Isabel Najera, Elena A. Govorkovaa. *.Published: 5 July 2016. Ref: https://aac.asm.org/content/60/9/5504