title: Carbon nanotubes from synthesis to in vivo biomedical applications.
abstract: Owing to their unique and interesting properties, extensive research round the globe has been carried out on carbon nanotubes and carbon nanotubes based systems to investigate their practical usefulness in biomedical applications. The results from these studies demonstrate a great promise in their use in targeted drug delivery systems, diagnostic techniques and in bio-analytical applications. Although, carbon nanotubes possess quite interesting properties, which make them potential candidates in the biomedical science, but they also have some inherent properties which arise great concern regarding their biosafety. In this comprehensive review, we have discussed different aspects of carbon nanotubes and carbon nanotube based systems related to biomedical applications. In the beginning, a short historical account of these tiny yet powerful particles is given followed by discussion regarding their types, properties, methods of synthesis, large scale production method, purification techniques and characterization aspects of carbon nanotubes. In the second part of the review, the functionalization of carbon nanotubes is reviewed in detail, which is not only important to make them biocompatible and stable in biological systems but also render them a great property of loading various biomolecules, diagnostic and therapeutic moieties resulting in diversified applications. In the final part of the review, emphasis is given on the pharmacokinetic aspects of carbon nanotubes including administration routes, absorption mechanisms, distribution and elimination of carbon nanotubes based systems. Lastly, a comprehensive account about the potential biomedical applications has been given followed by insights into the future.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Central Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Muhammad Imran
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Sajid
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Central Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Usama
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Jamshaid
authors.affiliation: University Lyon-1, CNRS, UMR 5007, LAGEP-CPE, 43 bd 11 November 1918, F-69622 Villeurbanne, France.
authors.forename: Talha
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Jamshaid
authors.affiliation: University Lyon-1, CNRS, UMR 5007, LAGEP-CPE, 43 bd 11 November 1918, F-69622 Villeurbanne, France.
authors.forename: Nadiah
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Zafar
authors.affiliation: University Lyon-1, CNRS, UMR 5007, LAGEP-CPE, 43 bd 11 November 1918, F-69622 Villeurbanne, France.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Fessi
authors.affiliation: University Lyon-1, CNRS, UMR 5007, LAGEP-CPE, 43 bd 11 November 1918, F-69622 Villeurbanne, France. Electronic address: Elaissari@lagep.univ-lyon1.fr.
authors.forename: Abdelhamid
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Elaissari
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D035843:Biomedical Research; D006801:Humans; D015394:Molecular Structure; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity; D010599:Pharmacokinetics
chemical_list: D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon
keywords: Biomedical applications; Carbon nanotubes; Characterization; Functionalization; Pharmacokinetics; Purification; Synthesis