Carbon nanotubes as a novel drug delivery system for anticancer therapy: a review

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were discovered in 1991 and shown to have certain unique physicochemical properties, attracting considerable interest in their application in various fields including drug delivery. The unique properties of CNTs such as ease of cellular uptake, high drug loading, thermal ablation, among others, render them useful for cancer therapy. Cancer is one of the most challenging diseases of modern times because its therapy involves distinguishing normal healthy cells from affected cells. Here, CNTs play a major role because phenomena such as EPR, allow CNTs to distinguish normal cells from affected ones, the Holy Grail in cancer therapy. Considerable work has been done on CNTs as drug delivery systems over the last two decades. However, concerns over certain issues such as biocompatibility and toxicity have been raised and warrant extensive research in this field.

Os nanotubos de carbono foram descobertos em 1991 e suas propriedades físico-químicas únicas demonstradas, despertando interesse em sua aplicação em vários campos, incluindo a entrega liberação de fármacos. As propriedades únicas dos nanotubos de carbono, tais como a facilidade de captação pela célula, carga alta de fármaco, ablação térmica, entre outras, tornaram-nos úteis para terapia de câncer, uma das doenças mais difíceis dos tempos modernos, pois sua terapia envolve a distinção entre as células normais saudáveis e as afetadas pela doença. Os nanotubos de carbono têm um papel importante nessa área porque fenômenos como EPR permitem que estes possam distinguir as células normais das afetadas, que é o Santo Graal na terapia do câncer. Trabalho considerável tem sido feito ao longo das duas últimas década com nanotubos de carbono, como sistemas de liberação de fármacos. No entanto, preocupações sobre algumas questões, como biocompatibilidade e toxicidade, surgiram ao longo do tempo, demandando extensas pesquisa nesse campo.

Analgesic activity of ethanolic extract of roots of Prosopis cineraria (l.) Druce.

Prosopis cineraria (L.) Druce is a deep rooted, nitrogen fixing, multipurpose tree endemic to the hot deserts of India. Its synonym is Prosopis spicigera. It belongs to the family Leguminosae and subfamily Mimosoideae. In view of its medicinal importance, the present research was focused on the analgesic properties of roots of P. cineraria by in vitro approach in rats. The analgesic activity of root of Prosopis cineraria was studied using hot-plate method and tail-immersion method in rats. Doses of the ethanolic extract of 200mg/kg & 300mg/kg, orally were selected for analgesic activity. The extract at all the doses used and the Diclofenac sodium significantly inhibited both the analgesic activity for hot plate and tail immersion method. The present study demonstrates the potential analgesic effect of ethanolic extracts of Prosopis cineraria roots. The dose of 200mg/kg b.w is very effective than 300mg/kg b.w in both above pharmacological models.