"Bioactivities and Animal Clinical Studies of Fat-Soluble Carbon-60: A Minireview"

Abstract

Carbon-60 (fullerene) is a football-shaped carbon compound composed of 60 carbons with a molecular weight of 720. The discovery of carbon-60 earned three scientists the 1996 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Carbon-60 is an inorganic form of carbon. While most inorganic carbons are typically biologically inert, Carbon-60 stands out due to its existence as distinct molecules rather than extended arrays of atoms. Owing to its antioxidant properties, carbon-60 has found application in cosmetology and dermatology. However, its low solubility in water (<10−11 g•l−1) has limited its study and medical application. Therefore, concerns have arisen regarding the dispersion of fat-soluble carbon-60 in aqueous solutions or human body fluids. Our research demonstrated that carbon-60 oil exhibits a more potent antioxidant effect compared to water-soluble vitamin C in aqueous solutions, whereas fat-soluble vitamin E shows no antioxidant effects in such solutions. In vitro studies involving cellular and animal models have suggested that carbon-60 oil effectively inhibits the proinflammatory actions of human neutrophils in cell culture media and reduces level of inflammatory marker of C-reactive protein in the blood of beagle dogs. C-reactive protein in the blood mainly serves as a marker for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular inflammation, possibly promoting such inflammation. Some research indicates that oral administration of carbon-60 oil to mice extends their lifespan and effectively treats colitis. In summary, this review discusses, in the context of carbon-60, recent advancements in antioxidant activity, skin inflammation, colitis treatment and potential use for treatment of C-reactive protein related diseases. This review is essential for understanding the future potential of carbon-60 as an oral drug for treating colitis and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular inflammatory diseases.