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Hydrophilic Carbon Nanomaterials: Characterisation by Physical, Chemical, and Biological Assays
Author(s) -
Veloso Andreia D.,
Ferraria Ana M.,
Botelho do Rego Ana M.,
Tavares Pedro B.,
Valentão Patrícia,
Pereira David D.,
Andrade Paula B.,
Fernandes António J.,
Oliveira Maria C.,
Videira Romeu A.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
chemmedchem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.817
H-Index - 100
eISSN - 1860-7187
pISSN - 1860-7179
DOI - 10.1002/cmdc.201900003
Subject(s) - nanomaterials , carbon fibers , chemistry , antioxidant , redox , radical , intracellular , thiol , electrochemistry , combinatorial chemistry , nanotechnology , organic chemistry , materials science , biochemistry , electrode , composite number , composite material
A highly hydrophilic carbon nanomaterial was generated by using an electrochemical approach, and its structure, chemical composition, redox properties, antioxidant activity and effects on cells were characterised. It was found that the nanomaterial possesses a structure dominated by sp 2 carbon atoms in a non‐ordered carbon network formed by small clusters (<2 nm) of a carbonaceous material. This material has an outstanding capability for donating electrons and an unusual ability to bind metal cations. Antioxidant activity assays showed that it displays a high scavenging activity against both 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl and 2,2′‐azino‐bis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid) radicals, and a concentration‐dependent ability to protect mitochondrial lipids and intracellular thiol groups from oxidation promoted by external oxidising agents. Cell‐based assays also revealed that the nanomaterial has the ability to protect neuronal cells against oxidative damage and toxicity promoted by tert ‐butyl hydroperoxide and amyloid‐β 1–42 peptide. These results, combined with the attractive methodology for generating this hydrophilic carbon‐based nanomaterial, make this study the first step in addressing the therapeutic application of this new material.