Fullerenes as a unique class of carbon allotropes have been studied extensively for their distinctive material properties and potential technological applications, including those in biology and medicine. Since a major focus in the latter has been on drug development and formulation, in this paper we highlight some representative studies related to such a focus, including the use of fullerenes for drug-like functions and for their improving the formulation of established drugs. Also discussed are some other potential medically relevant applications of fullerenes, such as their serving as potent agents in photodynamic therapy and magnetic imaging.

No abstract

No abstract

In-line analysis of refractive index is required for efficient design and monitoring of supercritical fluid extraction and precipitation processes. In the present work, a robust method has been developed based on measurements of laser beam deviation using an interferometer and image processing system. Data on refractive index of CO 2 -ethanol mixtures were obtained at pressures between 70 and 200 bar and temperatures between 308 and 363 K, for continuous flow of premixed solvents and, in addition, for equilibrium gas phase below the mixture critical pressure. The refractive index of a mixture is a linear function of ethanol mole fraction and can adequately describe mixing and phase behavior in the vessel. For pure CO 2 , refractive index was determined as a function of pressure and density and its Lorentz-Lorenz functions determined.

Supercritical fluid particle design (SCF PD) offers a number of routes to improve solubility and dissolution rate for enhancing the bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs, which can be adopted through an in-depth knowledge of SCF PD processes and the molecular properties of active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) and drug delivery system (DDS). Combining with research experiences in our laboratory, this review focuses on the most recent development of different routes (nano-micron particles, polymorphic particles, composite particles and bio-drug particles) to improve solubility and dissolution rate of poorly water-soluble drugs, covering the fundamental concept of SCF and the principle of SCF PD processes which are typically used to control particle size, shape, morphology and particle form and hence enable notable improvement in the dissolution rate of the poorly water-soluble drugs. The progress of the industrialization of SCF PD processes in pharmaceutical manufacturing environment with scaled-up plant under current good manufacturing process (GMP) specification is also considered in this review.