Biomedical Applications of C60 Fullerenes
Summary
C60 fullerenes are spherical carbon nanostructures distinguished by a unique arrangement of 60 carbon atoms in a truncated icosahedral geometry. Their remarkable electron affinity and capacity to delocalise charge confer potent free-radical scavenging properties, positioning them as versatile antioxidants. In biomedical contexts, C60 fullerenes have been investigated for prevention and mitigation of oxidative damage in muscle and neural tissues, modulation of stress-response pathways, and protection against ischaemia–reperfusion injury. Their photophysical characteristics enable use as photosensitisers in photodynamic therapies, while their hydrophobic cavity and surface modifiability allow non-covalent or covalent complexation with therapeutic agents, enhancing solubility, cellular uptake and targeted delivery. Moreover, C60-based nanoconjugates exhibit immunomodulatory effects and can potentiate the efficacy of anticancer drugs, reduce systemic toxicity and overcome multidrug resistance. Together, these attributes underscore the global significance of C60 fullerenes as multifunctional nanoplatforms in diagnostics, therapy and tissue protection.
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Biomedical Applications of C60 Fullerenes publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in biomedical applications of c60 fullerenes across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
C60 fullerene: A spherical carbon allotrope composed of 60 carbon atoms arranged in a truncated icosahedron, notable for its electron-accepting capacity and free-radical scavenging ability.
Reactive oxygen species (ROS): Highly reactive oxygen-containing molecules (such as superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide) that can damage lipids, proteins and nucleic acids.
Photodynamic therapy: A treatment modality that uses light-activated photosensitisers to generate ROS selectively within target tissues, leading to cell death.
Ischaemia–reperfusion injury: Tissue damage caused when blood supply returns to an organ after a period of oxygen deprivation, often characterised by a burst of oxidative stress.
Nanocomplex: A nanoscale assembly of two or more molecular components (for example, a drug and a carrier) that enhances stability, solubility or bioavailability.
References
- The effect of C60 fullerene on the mechanokinetics of muscle gastrocnemius contraction in chronically alcoholized rats. Heliyon (2023).
- Protective Effect of Water-Soluble C60 Fullerene Nanoparticles on the Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury of the Muscle Soleus in Rats. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2021).
- Complexation with C60 Fullerene Increases Doxorubicin Efficiency against Leukemic Cells In Vitro. Discover Nano (2019).
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