Application of Carbon Nanotubes for Controlled Release of Growth Factors or Endocannabinoids: A Breakthrough in Biomedicine

Abstract

Carbon nanotubes, the nanostructures with immense potential in various scientific fields such as the regenerative medicine, have emerged as innovative nanosreservoirs with multimodal functionality and application in theranostic sessions. The superior mechanical properties, high thermoelectrical conductivities, or improved solubility and biocompatibility have made CNTs as suitable candidates for biosensing, high-resolution imaging, tissue-engineering, and delivery of a variety of compounds with poor solubility or short half-life. These advanced nanovectors which promote neuronal growth and functional connectivity, have shown great theranostic potential in the central nervous system disorders. Several pioneering works have shown the ability of CNTs for controlled release of drugs or growth factors into the brain. Over the last decade the neurotropic and metabotrophic effects of nerve-growth factor, brain-derived neurothropic factor and endocannabinoid system and their involvement in the mechanism of action of a wide variety of drugs have been the focus of intense research. In order to overcome the rapid degradation and/or non-specific distribution of nerve-growth factor or endocanabinoids, conjugation with CNTs has led to the prolonged effects of these modulating factors. Based on their unique properties, the appropriate application of functionalized CNTs may indeed revolutionize the current biomedical interventions that has been highlighted in the present review.