A Comprehensive Review on Recent Progress in Carbon Nanotubes for Biomedical Application

Abstract

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been considered as the prototypical nanomaterials, propelling them to the forefront of nanoscience and nanotechnology. Carbon nanotubes offer potential therapeutic uses in drug transport, diagnostics, biosensing, and tissue engineering. Fluorescence imaging across the NIR-II range with increased penetration into tissues and spatial precision has shown significant promise in recent years as an effective imaging approach, harnessing the intrinsic band-gap luminescence of semiconducting CNTs. They can penetrate through membranes, delivering medicines, vaccinations, and nucleic acids to previously inaccessible destinations. Thus, the development of innovative and effective drug delivery methods with CNTs can improve the pharmacological properties of many types of medication. Furthermore, the simplicity with which CNTs may be surface functionalized has led to their application as gene delivery vectors for illnesses such as cancer. These vectors include plasmid DNA, miRNA, and siRNA. CNTs, among other carbon nanomaterials, are inherently strong electrical conductors, making them great candidates for interfacing electrically excitable tissues and conducting brain interface investigations. CNT-based hydrogels are commonly utilized for wound healing and antimicrobial purposes. They have shown increased antimicrobial, antibacterial, adhesive, antioxidant, and mechanical capabilities, all of which aids in wound healing. In the field of biomedicine, CNTs are being hailed as promising prospects for both diagnostic and treatment. When it comes to medication distribution, CNTs can help overcome some of the drawbacks of “free” drugs by helping to formulate less water-soluble medications better, enabling targeted delivery, and even facilitating the co-delivery of more than one medication for combination therapy. Currently, two methods attaching the substance being delivered to the exterior sidewalls or encapsulating it within the interior cavities are being investigated for the delivery of medicinal and diagnostic chemicals using CNTs. This article discusses the most recent developments in the use of CNTs, including single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) as well as multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), as multipurpose nanoprobes for biomedical applications.