Water-soluble C60 Research Articles

Water-soluble C60 fullerenes reduce manifestations of acute cholangitis in rats

Sclerosing cholangitis is the liver disease of uncertain etiology, extremely unfavorable prognosis and lack of effective medication therapy. Therefore, the effect of water-soluble biocompatible C60 fullerenes (C60FAS) on the liver functional state on rat acute-cholangitis model was aimed to be discovered. Acute cholangitis was simulated by single α-naphthyl isothiocyanate (ANIT, 100 mg/kg) per os administration; C60FAS (0.5 mg/kg) was administered either per os or intraperitoneally in 24 and 48 h after ANIT ingestion, and in 72 h the animals were sacrificed. The activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), the total and direct bilirubin, creatinine and urea in the blood serum were determined, and the liver morphological state was assessed. In animals experienced ANIT-induced acute cholangitis, the total and direct bilirubin, creatinine, ALT, AST, ALP and LDH 1.5–4-fold increase were observed, indicating cytolysis of hepatocytes, cholestasis, and renal dysfunction. The features of periductal fibrosis, biliary epithelium atrophy, and portal–portal linking septa formation were detected, confirming the sclerosing cholangitis development. C60FAS promoted to the normalization of direct and total bilirubin levels, the ALT activity and diminution of fibrotic features. In addition, C60FAS intraperitoneal administration also normalized the ALP activity, indicating the attenuation of disease symptoms. However, the AST activity and creatinine level remained unchanged, and the LDH activity even increased, manifesting the partial persistence of cholestasis and renal dysfunction. Thus, the therapeutic application of C60FAS promotes a partial protection of liver against cholangitis.

Effect of C60 fullerene nanoparticles on the diet-induced obesity in rats

Obesity is a growing global health problem. Since increased oxidative stress is one of the key pathological mechanisms underpinning overweight and strongly correlates with progression of obesity-related complications we hypothesized that C60 fullerene nanoparticles, due to their strong antioxidant capacity, could be the promising therapeutic agent in the treatment of this disease. Here we investigated whether the C60 fullerenes can alleviate diet-induced obesity (DIO) and metabolic impairments associated with it. To determine the effect of C60 fullerenes on some nutritional and metabolic parameters, rats were fed either a normal diet (6.7% fat, 15.27 kJ·g-1) or a high-fat diet (38.8% fat, 28.71 kJ·g-1) for 70 days and were simultaneously treated per os with pristine C60 fullerene aqueous solution (C60FAS; 0.3 mg·kg-1 every other day) since the 28th day from the start of the experiment. Rats fed with high fat diet had significantly increased body mass index (BMI), levels of insulin, glucose, glycosilated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and serum pro-inflammatory cytokines compared with control rats fed with low-fat chow. C60 fullerenes normalized the metabolic parameters and partially reduced BMI in DIO animals. Pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1b, IL-12, INFγ) were also decreased in serum of DIO rats treated with C60 fullerenes while anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4, IL-10) were at the control levels. High fat diet caused the increased level of oxidative stress products, and this was accompanied by decreased activity both the superoxide dismutase and catalase, whereas the administration of C60 fullerenes markedly decreased level of oxidative stress and enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities. These data indicate that water-soluble pristine C60 fullerenes reduce chronic inflammation, restore glucose homeostasis as well as positively affects on prooxidant-antioxidant homeostasis. C60 fullerenes could be represented as a promising therapeutic agent in the treatment of obesity and its related complications.

C60 fullerenes disrupt cellular signalling leading to TRPC4 and TRPC6 channels opening by the activation of muscarinic receptors and G-proteins in small intestinal smooth muscles

The effect of water-soluble pristine C60 fullerene nanoparticles (C60NPs) on receptor-operated cation channels formed by TRPC4/C6 proteins in ileal smooth muscle cells was investigated for the first time. Activation of these channels subsequent to acetylcholine binding to the expressed in these cells M2 and M3 muscarinic receptors represents the key event in the parasympathetic control of gastrointestinal smooth muscle motility and cholinergic excitation-contraction coupling. Experiments were performed on single collagenase-dispersed mouse ileal myocytes using patch-clamp techniques with symmetrical 125mM Cs+ solutions and [Ca2+]i ‘clamped’ at 100nM in order to isolate the muscarinic cation current (mICAT). The current was induced by intracellular infusion of 200μM GTPγS, which activates G-proteins directly, i.e. bypassing the muscarinic receptors. C60NPs applied at 10−6M at peak response to activation of G-proteins caused mICAT inhibition by 47.0±3.5% (n=9). The inhibition developed rather slowly, with the time constant of 119±16s, was voltage-independent and irreversible. Thus, C60NPs are unlikely to cause any direct block of TRPC4/C6 channels; rather, they may accumulate in the membrane and disrupt G-protein signalling leading to mICAT generation. C60NPs may represent a novel class of biocompatible molecules for the treatment of disorders associated with enhanced gastrointestinal motility.

A nanocomplex of C60 fullerene with cisplatin: design, characterization and toxicity.

The self-organization of C60 fullerene and cisplatin in aqueous solution was investigated using the computer simulation, dynamic light scattering and atomic force microscopy techniques. The results evidence the complexation between the two compounds. The genotoxicity of С60 fullerene, Cis and their complex was evaluated in vitro with the comet assay using human resting lymphocytes and lymphocytes after blast transformation. The cytotoxicity of the mentioned compounds was estimated by Annexin V/PI double staining followed by flow cytometry. The results clearly demonstrate that water-soluble C60 fullerene nanoparticles (0.1 mg/mL) do not induce DNA strand breaks in normal and transformed cells. C60 fullerene in the mixture with Cis does not influence genotoxic Cis activity in vitro, affects the cell-death mode in treated resting human lymphocytes and reduces the fraction of necrotic cells.

Effects of Fullerene Derivatives on Activity of Ca2+-ATPase of the Sarcoplasmic Reticulum and cGMP Phosphodiesterase.

We studied the effects of new water-soluble polysubstituted fullerene C60 (PFD) derivatives on activity of Ca2+-Mg2+ ATPase of the sarcoplasmic reticulum and cGMP phosphodiesterase. All examined fullerene derivatives inhibited activity of both enzymes. For instance, PFD-I, PFD-II, PFD-III, PFD-V, PFD-IX, PFD-X, and PFD-XI in a concentration of 5×10-5 M completely inhibited hydrolytic and transport functions of Ca2+-ATPase. These compounds in a concentration of 5×10-6 suppressed active transport of calcium ions by 51±5, 77±8, 52±5, 52±5, 100±10, 80±8, and 100±10%, respectively, and inhibited ATP hydrolysis by 31±3, 78±8, 18±2, 29±3, 78±8, 63±7, and 73±9%, respectively, uncoupling the hydrolytic and transport functions of the enzyme. PFD-I noncompetitive and reversibly reduced activity of Ca2+-ATPase (Ki=2.3×10-6 M). All the studied fullerene derivatives (except for PFD-VII) inhibited cGMP phosphodiesterase by more than 80% in concentration of 10-4 M and higher and by more than 50% in concentration of 10-5 M. PFD-I is a non-competitive reversible inhibitor of cGMP phosphodiesterase (Ki=7×10-6 M). These results allow us to expect antimetastatic, antiaggregatory, antihypertensive and vasodilative activity of the studied compounds.

Secondary-Rim γ-Cyclodextrin Functionalization to Conjugate with C60 : Improved Efficacy as a Photosensitizer.

DIBAL-H-mediated demethylation provides a novel method to access secondary-rim functionalized γ-cyclodextrin. 2A ,3B -Dihydroxyl-per-O-methylated-γ-cyclodextrin has been obtained, whose conjugation with C60 allows access to the most water-soluble C60 conjugate described so far. The water solubility of 0.12 m (550 mg mL-1 ) is 150 times higher than that of the native γ-CD/C60 complex. Its singlet oxygen (1 O2 ) quantum yield is 0.39, an increase of one to two orders of magnitude compared to that of α(β)CD-C60 conjugates.

Water-Soluble Fullerene Derivatives as Brain Medicine: Surface Chemistry Determines If They Are Neuroprotective and Antitumor.

Delivering drugs to the central nervous system (CNS) is a major challenge in treating CNS-related diseases. Nanoparticles that can cross blood-brain barrier (BBB) are potential tools. In this study, water-soluble C60 fullerene derivatives with different types of linkages between the fullerene cage and the solubilizing addend were synthesized (compounds 1-3: C-C bonds, compounds 4-5: C-S bonds, compound 6: C-P bonds, and compounds 7-9: C-N bonds). Fullerene derivatives 1-6 were observed to induce neural stem cell (NSC) proliferation in vitro and rescue the function of injured CNS in zebrafish. Fullerene derivatives 7-9 were found to inhibit glioblastoma cell proliferation in vitro and reduce glioblastoma formation in zebrafish. These effects were correlated with the cell metabolic changes. Particularly, compound 3 bearing residues of phenylbutiryc acids significantly promoted NSC proliferation and neural repair without causing tumor growth. Meanwhile, compound 7 with phenylalanine appendages significantly inhibited glioblastoma growth without retarding the neural repair. We conclude that the surface functional group determines the properties as well as the interactions of C60 with NSCs and glioma cells, producing either a neuroprotective or antitumor effect for possible treatment of CNS-related diseases.

Water-Soluble Nanoscale C60 Fullerenes as Effective Therapeutic Means for Prevention and Correction of Ischemic Injury in Skeletal Muscle

Water-Soluble Nanoscale C60 Fullerenes as Effective Therapeutic Means for Prevention and Correction of Ischemic Injury in Skeletal Muscle

Вплив водорозчинних С60 фулеренів на розвиток гострого коліту у щурів

Вплив водорозчинних С60 фулеренів на розвиток гострого коліту у щурів

Water-soluble photoluminescent fullerene capped mesoporous silica for pH-responsive drug delivery and bioimaging

In this paper, a biocompatible and water-soluble fluorescent fullerene (C60-TEG-COOH) coated mesoporous silica nanoparticle (MSN) was successfully fabricated for pH-sensitive drug release and fluorescent cell imaging. The MSN was first reacted with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane to obtain an amino-modified MSN, and then the water-soluble C60 with a carboxyl group was used to cover the surface of the MSN through electrostatic interaction with the amino group in PBS solution (pH = 7.4). The release of doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX) could be triggered under a mild acidic environment (lysosome, pH = 5.0) due to the protonation of C60-TEG-COO−, which induced the dissociation of the C60-TEG-COOH modified MSN (MSN@C60). Furthermore, the uptake of nanoparticles by cells could be tracked because of the green fluorescent property of the C60-modified MSN. In an in vitro study, the prepared materials showed excellent biocompatibility and the DOX-loaded nanocarrier exhibited efficient anticancer ability. This work offered a simple method for designing a simultaneous pH-responsive drug delivery and bioimaging system.

PROSPECTS OF C60 FULLERENE APPLICATION AS A MEAN OF PREVENTION AND CORRECTION OF ISCHEMIC-REPERFUSION INJURY IN THE SKELETAL MUSCLE TISSUE.

lack of accurate diagnostic tests for the rapid detection of ischemic injury remains an urgent problem. In this context, a search for specific markers of ischemia as well as new therapeutic agents for prevention and treatment of ischemic injury continues. Water-soluble nano-sized C60 fullerenes, as powerful antioxidants, can act as promising means for correction of various muscle system states, in the base of which lie the destructive effects of free radicals.

Nafion-based composite solid electrolytes containing water-soluble fullerene C60 derivatives

Nafion-based composite solid polyelectrolytes containing fullerene C60 and its water-soluble derivatives fullerenol-C60 and tris-malonate-C60 were studied by the impedance spectroscopy method. It was found that introduction of these dopants in Nafion leads to a substantial increase in proton conductivity of the composites in the region of low relative humidity. The reasons for the influence of dopants on proton conductivity of composites were discussed.

Cancer Hyperthermia Studies: On the Aqueous Structure and Radiofrequency-Induced Heating Properties of a Water-Soluble [60]Fullerene

The symmetrical, malonodiserinolamide hexa-substituted [60]fullerene, C60-ser, is a key water-soluble C60 derivative of interest for the treatment of cancer by radiofrequency(RF)-induced hyperthermia due to its biocompatibility, neutral charge, lipophilicity, and ability to cross restrictive biological membranes. In aqueous solution C60-ser, which is surrounded by 24 hydroxyl groups, maintains relatively stable layers of closely-bound water molecules (hydration sphere), forms highly dynamic aggregates, sized between 100-400 nm in diameter, which exist in equilibrium with individual, hydrated C60-ser molecules. Our recent observations indicate that these dynamic C60-ser aggregates are built up of a single layer of C60-ser molecules, with water locked inside a hollow core structure. Using a thermal imaging camera, aqueous C60-ser solutions have been shown to produce heat when irradiated with an 13.56 MHz RF field (900W) in a concentration-dependent manner with a heating rate of up to 1.0 °C/sec at 10 mg/ml. This result establishes that C60-ser is a neutrally-charged, key [60]fullerene-based nanoparticle, that might be used for the treatment of cancer by RFH-induced hyperthermia. We acknowledge Kanzius Foundation and Welch Foundation Grant C-0627 for financial support. Figure 1

Well-Defined Water-Soluble C60-PVP Conjugate

Based on their high photosensitivity, the potential medical application of fullerenes (C60 and C70) such as photodynamic therapy agents has been discussed for decades. Due to their high hydrophobicity, it is necessary to find a good method to solubilize fullerenes in water or water-miscible solvents for such application. We have been using a biocompatible and water-soluble polymer, poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) to prepare water-soluble C60/ or C70/PVP complex1 and C60- or C70-PVP conjugates2. 3 with efficient reactive oxygen species (ROSs) generation under visible light.4,5 However, in the clinical use, well-defined compounds with narrower molecular weight distribution are favored. In this study, we synthesized a RAFT reagent 1 for the preparation of well-defined PVP. The terminal moiety was converted to an amine 2 to connect to a C60 acid anhydride derivative 3 which was obtained through a Prato reaction.6 Obtained C60-PVP conjugate had a narrower molecular distribution, high water-solubility and photoinduced ROS generation.7 (1) Yamakoshi, Y.; Yagami, T.; Fukuhara, K.; Sueyoshi, S.; Miyata, N. J. Chem. Soc., Chem. Commun. 1994, 517. (2) Iwamoto, Y.; Yamakoshi, Y. Chem. Commun. 2006, 4805. (3) Oriana, S.; Aroua, S.; Söllner, J. O. B.; Ma, X.; Iwamoto, Y.; Yamakoshi, Y. Chem. Comm. 2013, 49, 9302. (4) Yamakoshi, Y.; Sueyoshi, S.; Fukuhara, K.; Miyata, N. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1998, 120, 12367. (5) Yamakoshi, Y.; Umezawa, N.; Ryu, A.; Arakane, K.; Miyata, N.; Goda, Y.; Masumizu, T.; Nagano, T. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2003, 125, 12803. (6) Aroua, S.; Schweizer, W. B.; Yamakoshi, Y. Org. Lett. 2014, 16, 1688. (7) Aroua, S.; Tiu, E. G. V.; Ayer, M.; Ishikawa, T.; Yamakoshi, Y. Polymer Chem. 2015, 6, 2616. Figure 1

Investigation on the interactions between fullerene and β-CD-g-hyperbranched polyglycerol to produce water-soluble fullerene

Developing a successful way to solubilize C60 in water is a longstanding, critical, and challenging issue in nanotechnology, biological, and medicine applications because of the great potential of fullerene derivatives in anti-viral therapy. In the current study, an efficient strategy for the preparing of water-soluble C60 at room temperature has been developed by complexion of C60 with hyperbranched polyglycerol linked to the β-cyclodextrin core (β-CD-g-HPG). The interactions between C60 and β-CD-g-HPG were investigated using a range of analytical techniques such as FTIR, NMR, UV–vis spectroscopy as well as visual techniques including SEM and AFM images. The particle size for a 1:2 (C60: β-CD-g-HPG) complex was also determined to be monodisperse ∼60nm from DLS, and it was appropriately matched with the size obtained from SEM pictures. The results show our synthesized hybrid nanomaterials will hopefully find interesting applications in biomedicine.

Multi-additions of azides onto fullerenes: Formation of water-soluble glycin C60 Derivatives as potential reactive oxygen species scavengers

Multi-additions of azides onto fullerenes: Formation of water-soluble glycin C60 Derivatives as potential reactive oxygen species scavengers

Analyses of the Binding between Water Soluble C60 Derivatives and Potential Drug Targets through a Molecular Docking Approach.

Fullerene C60, a unique sphere-shaped molecule consisting of carbon, has been proved to have inhibitory effects on many diseases. However, the applications of C60 in medicine have been severely hindered by its complete insolubility in water and low solubility in almost all organic solvents. In this study, the water-soluble C60 derivatives and the C60 binding protein’s structures were collected from the literature. The selected proteins fall into several groups, including acetylcholinesterase, glutamate racemase, inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase, lumazine synthase, human estrogen receptor alpha, dihydrofolate reductase and N-myristoyltransferase. The C60 derivatives were docked into the binding sites in the proteins. The binding affinities of the C60 derivatives were calculated. The bindings between proteins and their known inhibitors or native ligands were also characterized in the same way. The results show that C60 derivatives form good interactions with the binding sites of different protein targets. In many cases, the binding affinities of C60 derivatives are better than those of known inhibitors and native ligands. This study demonstrates the interaction patterns of C60 derivatives and their binding partners, which will have good impact on the fullerene-based drug discovery.

β-Cyclodextrin functionalized carbon quantum dots as sensors for determination of water-soluble C60 fullerenes in water.

A selective photoluminescence method based on Carbon Quantum Dots (CQDs) functionalized with carboxymethyl-β-cyclodextrin for the direct determination of water-soluble C60 fullerene has been developed. CQDs were synthesized using a top-down methodology from multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and further functionalized with N-Boc-ethylenediamine to confer monoprotected amine groups onto their surface. Once amine-functionalized CQDs were obtained after deprotection, an amidation reaction with carboxymethyl-β-cyclodextrin cavitands was achieved and the obtained fluorescent β-cyclodextrin functionalized Carbon Quantum Dots (cd-CQDs) were investigated for the inclusion complexation of water-soluble C60. Quenching of their fluorescence was observed owing to the non-covalent self-assembly of cd-CQDs and C60, making possible the quantification of C60. A method to determine water-soluble C60 is then proposed with detection and quantification limits of 0.525 and 1.751 μg mL(-1), respectively. The method was validated by determining soluble C60 fullerene in spiked river water. One added value of the paper is the fact that it can be ascribed to the "Third Way in Analytical Nanoscience and Nanotechnology".

Fullerenol C60(OH)16 prevents amyloid fibrillization of Aβ40-in vitro and in silico approach.

The generation of Aβ amyloid aggregates in the form of senile plaques in the brain is one of the pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD). There is no cure for AD and one of the recent treatment strategies is focused on the inhibition of amyloid fibrillization of Aβ peptide. Fullerene C60 has been proposed as a candidate for destroying Aβ aggregates but it is not soluble in water and its toxicity to cells remains largely ambiguous. To overcome these drawbacks, we synthesized and studied the effect of water-soluble fullerenol C60(OH)16 (fullerene C60 carrying 16 hydroxyl groups) on the amyloid fibrillization of Aβ40 peptide in vitro. Using a Thioflavin T fluorescent assay and atomic force microscopy it was found that C60(OH)16 effectively reduces the formation of amyloid fibrils. The IC50 value is in the low range (μg ml(-1)) suggesting that fullerenol interferes with Aβ40 aggregation at stoichiometric concentrations. The in silico calculations supported the experimental data. It was revealed that fullerenol tightly binds to monomer Aβ40 and polar, negatively charged amino acids play a key role. Electrostatic interactions dominantly contribute to the binding propensity via interaction of the oxygen atoms from the COO(-) groups of side chains of polar, negatively charged amino acids with the OH groups of fullerenol. This stabilizes contact with either the D23 or K28 of the salt bridge. Due to the lack of a well-defined binding pocket fullerenol is also inclined to locate near the central hydrophobic region of Aβ40 and can bind to the hydrophobic C-terminal of the peptide. Upon fullerenol binding the salt bridge becomes flexible, inhibiting Aβ aggregation. In order to assess the toxicity of fullerenol, we found that exposure of neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells to fullerenol caused no significant changes in viability after 24 h of treatment. These results suggest that fullerenol C60(OH)16 represents a promising candidate as a therapeutic for Alzheimer's disease.

Hepatoprotective effect of orally applied water-soluble pristine C60 fullerene against CCl4-induced acute liver injury in rats

Oral administration of water-soluble pristine C60 fullerene in small dose prevents acute liver injury caused by carbon tetrachloride in rats.