A REVIEW ARTICLE ON SUPRAMOLECULAR CARBON NANOTUBES FOR DRUG LOADING AND DELIVERY

Abhanya Surendran*, Jasna K., Dr. Shijikumar P. S., Dr. Sirajudheen M. K. and Dr. Nishad K. M.

ABSTRACT

In nanomaterials, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have significant role in transporting and translocating therapeutic molecule. They turn up as a new alternative and efficient tool for drug loading and delivery. The CNTs having extraordinary electrical conductivity, heat conductivity and mechanical properties. They have distinct and unified physicochemical properties such as orderd structure with high aspect ratio, high mechanical strength, high electrical conductivity, high thermal conductivity, metallic or semimetallic behaviour and high surface area. Hence they offer an alternative, efficient and promising platform for drug delivery system of many therapeutic active compounds ranging from anti-neoplastic agents, cardiovascular drugs, anti-infectives to anti-inflammatory molecules and genes. The CNTs are produced by various methods, which include flame synthesis, arc discharge, laser ablasion, chemical vapour deposition (CVD) systems.

Keywords: carbon nanotubes, supramolecular carbon nanotubes, synthesis, functionalisation, newer trends.