Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) based advanced dermal therapeutics: current trends and future potential

Abstract

The search for effective and non-invasive delivery modules to transport therapeutic molecules across skin has led to the discovery of a number of nanocarriers (viz.: liposomes, ethosomes, dendrimers, etc.) in the last few decades. However, available literature suggests that these delivery modules face several issues including poor stability, low encapsulation efficiency, and scale-up hurdles. Recently, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) emerged as a versatile tool to deliver therapeutics across skin. Superior stability, high loading capacity, well-developed synthesis protocol as well as ease of scale-up are some of the reason for growing interest in CNTs. CNTs have a unique physical architecture and a large surface area with unique surface chemistry that can be tailored for vivid biomedical applications. CNTs have been thus largely engaged in the development of transdermal systems such as tuneable hydrogels, programmable nonporous membranes, electroresponsive skin modalities, protein channel mimetic platforms, reverse iontophoresis, microneedles, and dermal buckypapers. In addition, CNTs were also employed in the development of RNA interference (RNAi) based therapeutics for correcting defective dermal genes. This review expounds the state-of-art synthesis methodologies, skin penetration mechanism, drug liberation profile, loading potential, characterization techniques, and transdermal applications along with a summary on patent/regulatory status and future scope of CNT based skin therapeutics.

Multi-walled carbon nanotube oxidation dependent keratinocyte cytotoxicity and skin inflammation

“…Aside from occupational exposures, new biomedical technologies are being developed that could increase skin exposure to CNTs. Specifically, CNTs are being developed as transdermal drug delivery devices [13–15], bio-sensing patches [16–19], and “smart” textiles [20–22]. While these technologies are in the early stages of development, additional dermal toxicological studies of CNTs are warranted.…”

Overview of Carbon Nanotubes for Biomedical Applications

“…As Kuche et al explained in their review work, the major drawbacks of existing transdermal delivery patches are the low drug release rate and the poor skin permeability [100]. CNT based nanocomposites could bring an innovative solution to both problems thanks to their intrinsic properties.…”

Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs)-Reinforced Magnesium-Based Matrix Composites: A Comprehensive Review

“… A brief historical timeline for CNTs showing the major developments that guided applications of CNTs [ 19 ]. …”

“…It has been confirmed that CNTs exhibit ultra-high-modulus and strength, and also have anisotropic electrical conductivity when incorporated in a matrix, they can remarkably enhance fabricated nanocomposites. The CNTs are used in many other applications like sensors, transistors, field emission sources, voltage inverters, [ 16 , 17 ], solar cells, fuel cells, energy storage devices [ 18 ], drug-delivery systems and biosensors [ 19 ]. Therefore, new opportunities and research directions for developing novel metal matrix nanocomposites (MMNCs) could be opened up by applying nanotechnology in material science and engineering.…”