CARBON NANOTUBES AS DUAL-ACTION NANOMATERIALS: REACTIVE OXYGEN SPECIES-MEDIATED ANTIFUNGAL AND ANTICANCER MECHANISMS

HM SHAHZAD; S MANZOOR; S YOUNAS; GZ JAHANGIR; B NAZIR

doi:10.64013/bbasr.v2026i1.121

Authors

HM SHAHZAD Centre for Applied Molecular Biology, University of the Punjab Lahore, Pakistan
S MANZOOR Centre for Applied Molecular Biology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
S YOUNAS Centre for Applied Molecular Biology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
GZ JAHANGIR Centre for Applied Molecular Biology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
B NAZIR Centre for Applied Molecular Biology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.64013/bbasr.v2026i1.121

Keywords:

Carbon nanomaterials, nanomedicine, biomedical, pharmaceutical, therapeutic

Abstract

Carbon nanomaterials, especially CNTs, have drawn much attention over the past decade due to their versatile biomedical engineering and pharmaceutical sciences applications. Such materials have distinct mechanical, electrical, and physicochemical properties, which render them applicable to a wide range of diagnostic and therapeutic applications. CNTs have been investigated widely for their antimicrobial properties due to their ability to interfere with the cell membranes and produce ROS, which makes them toxic. As far as biomedical applications are concerned, CNTs are also being probed for promoting drug delivery, particularly in cancer treatment, by leveraging the possibility of ROS generation inside the cancer cells. The bioproliferation of ROS is important for tumorigenesis and treatment alike, as CNTs can result in oxidative stress, which can cause cell apoptosis or facilitate the onset of cancer by damaging DNA. The paper reports CNTs that are interacting with cells, their opportunities for nanomedicine, drug delivery, and the damage caused by CNTs in cancer therapy. However, the safety and biocompatibility of CNTs are still a major issue, and further studies are required to improve their application in therapeutic settings. In this review, CNT-mediated cellular damage is reviewed in detail, as well as their potential in medical and biotechnological applications.

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