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Transport of Surface-modified Carbon Nanotubes through a Soil Column
Published on: April 2, 2015
Carbon nanotubes for transdermal drug delivery
Ismail Tuncer Degim1, Diane J Burgess, Fotios Papadimitrakopoulos
1School of Pharmacy, University of Connecticut, 69 North Eagleville Road, Storrs, CT 06269, USA. tdegim@gazi.edu.tr
Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) show promise as drug carriers, enhancing skin penetration for hydrophobic drugs. Their conductivity also enables iontophoresis, acting as electrodes for drug delivery.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Pharmaceutical Sciences
Background:
- Transdermal drug delivery faces challenges with hydrophobic compounds.
- Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) offer unique properties for biomedical applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate CNTs as drug carriers for enhanced skin penetration.
- To evaluate CNTs' solubility and adsorption effects on drugs.
- To explore CNTs' utility in iontophoretic drug delivery.
Main Methods:
- Utilized multi-walled and double-walled carbon nanotubes.
- Assessed transdermal penetration via passive diffusion and iontophoresis.
- Investigated drug adsorption and solubility enhancement by CNTs.
Main Results:
- CNTs demonstrated significant potential as drug carriers.
- Enhanced transdermal penetration was observed, particularly for hydrophobic drugs.
- CNTs facilitated high drug loading and adsorption.
- The electroconductive properties of CNTs enabled iontophoresis and electrode functionality.
Conclusions:
- CNTs are effective drug carriers improving transdermal delivery of hydrophobic drugs.
- CNTs offer a dual advantage for drug delivery through enhanced penetration and iontophoretic capabilities.
- The use of CNTs as electrodes in iontophoresis presents a novel drug delivery approach.
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