Fullerene antibacterial activity

Fullerene showed antibacterial activity, which can be attributed to different interactions of C60 with biomolecules (Da Ros et al., 1996). In fact, there is a possibility to induce cell membrane disruption. The fullerene sphere seems not really adaptable to planar cellular surface, but for sure the hydrophobic surface can easily interact with membrane lipids and intercalate into them. However, it has been demonstrated that fullerene derivatives can inhibit bacterial growth by unpairing the respiratory chain. There is, first, a decrease of oxygen uptake at low fullerene derivative concentration, and then an increase of oxygen uptake, which is followed by an enhancement of hydrogen peroxide production. The higher concentration of C60 seems to produce an electron leak from the bacterial respiratory chain (Mashino et al., 2003). 

Lyon DY, Adams LK, Falkner JC, Alvarez PJJ (2006) Antibacterial activity of fullerene water suspensions Effects of preparation method and particle size. Environ. Sci. Technol. 40 4360 1366. 

Fullerenes have also been shown to possess myriad biological effects such as inhibition of HIV, antibacterial activity, and neuroprotection (21). Therefore, whether or not fullerenes are classified as drugs or excipients depends upon the indication for which they are used. 

However, the exceptional size-specific behavior of nanomaterials in combination with their relatively large surface-to-volume ratio might result in potential risk for human health and the environment [26-28]. For example, fullerene (C60) particles suspended in water are characterized by antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis [29] and by cytotoxicity to human cell lines [30]. Single- and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CWCNTs and MWCNTs) are toxic to human cells as well [31, 32]. Nano-sized silicon oxide (Si02), anatase (Ti02), and zinc oxide (ZnO) can induce pulmonary inflammation in rodents and humans [33-35],... 

Fullerenes Radioisotope delivery to tumor cells, MRI contrast agents Antibacterial, neuroprotective, inhibition of HIV activity... 

Mashino, T., Nishikawa, D., Takahashi, K.> Usui> N., Yamori, T., Seki, M., Endo, T, Mochizuki, M. (2003). Antibacterial and antiproliferative activity of cationic fullerene derivatives. Bioor-ganic and Medicinal Chemistry Letters, 13, 4395-4397. 

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