Potential and Promises of Carbon Nanotubes in Drug Delivery

For almost the last three decades, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are under continuous scientific investigation due to the inimitable properties and immense applications in diverse fields, especially in drug delivery. CNTs are the rolled graphene sheets with sp2 hybridization. Various synthetic approaches like arc discharge method, laser ablation methods, chemical vapor deposition, and pyrolysis are employed to produce CNTs. Despite applications in biomedical sensors, artificial implants, preservatives, solar cells, and transistors, CNTs have also been explored to deliver anticancer agents, anti-malarials, anti-HIV agents, and anti-bacterial drugs. CNTs can even deliver nucleic acids and genes into cells of the target site. The present chapter explains the discovery of CNTs, their types, synthetic methods, various reactions possible with the usage of CNTs, applications of CNTs, safety profile, and challenges involved.

Keywords: Carbon nanocarriers, Gene therapy, Nanotechnology, Nucleic acids, Pharmacokinetics, Safety profile, Synthetic approaches.