Nanodiamonds as novel nanomaterials for biomedical applications: drug delivery and imaging systems

Abstract

Detonation nanodiamonds (NDs) are emerging as delivery vehicles for small chemical drugs and macromolecular biotechnology products due to their primary particle size of 4 to 5 nm, stable inert core, reactive surface, and ability to form hydrogels. Nanoprobe technology capitalizes on the intrinsic fluorescence, high refractive index, and unique Raman signal of the NDs, rendering them attractive for in vitro and in vivo imaging applications. This review provides a brief introduction of the various types of NDs and describes the development of procedures that have led to stable single-digit-sized ND dispersions, a crucial feature for drug delivery systems and nanoprobes. Various approaches used for functionalizing the surface of NDs are highlighted, along with a discussion of their biocompatibility status. The utilization of NDs to provide sustained release and improve the dispersion of hydrophobic molecules, of which chemotherapeutic drugs are the most investigated, is described. The prospects of improving the intracellular delivery of nucleic acids by using NDs as a platform are exemplified. The photoluminescent and optical scattering properties of NDs, together with their applications in cellular labeling, are also reviewed. Considering the progress that has been made in understanding the properties of NDs, they can be envisioned as highly efficient drug delivery and imaging biomaterials for use in animals and humans.

Novel Tamoxifen Nanoformulations for Improving Breast Cancer Treatment: Old Wine in New Bottles

“…Another type of carbon-based nanomaterial frequently employed in the delivery of chemotherapeutic drugs is nanodiamonds (NDs). Due to their small size, high stability, good biocompatibility [122][123][124][125] and the abundance of surface functional groups, researchers can easily construct ND-drug conjugates by generating new ND surface groups, including ether (-COC-), peroxide (-COOR-), carbonyl (-C=O), or carboxyl (-COOH) [126,127]. For example, Landeros-Martínez et al employed the most recent density functional theory (DFT) studies to investigate a theoretical pathway to the fabrication of ND-TAM complex, to target BC [128].…”

The Application of Nanodiamond in Biotechnology and Tissue Engineering

“…In experiments in vitro, daunorubicin conjugated with DNPs was efficient against a multidrug-resistant K562 human myelogenous leukemia cell line, which was able to overcome treatment with daunorubicin alone [62]. Other anticancer drugs, which were successfully conjugated with DNPs and delivered to cells, were 10-hydroxycamptothecin [63], polymyxin [64] or doxorubicin, an apoptosis-inducing drug widely used in chemotherapy [54,65]; for a review, see [1,66]. A nanodiamond-mediated doxorubicin delivery system was designed to inhibit the lung metastasis of breast cancer [67] and also to treat malignant brain gliomas [68].…”

“…The detonation DNPs, also called ultrananocrystalline detonation diamond (UDD), are generally of smaller size (in nanometers) than non-detonation DNPs (tens of nanometers), and this small size has been considered as the main determinant of nanoparticle cytotoxicity [91]. The detonation diamonds often contain impurities, such as other carbon allotropes [53], iridium [100], carbon soot and oxides and carbides, including those of iron, chromium, silicon, calcium, copper, potassium, titanium and sulfur (for a review, see [1]). In a study by Keremidarska et al [96], the increased cytotoxicity of DNPs was associated with their smaller size and presence of impurities, particularly other carbon allotropes.…”

“…Thus, for biomedical studies, detonation nanodiamonds need to be extensively purified. For the removal of nondiamond carbon, the following chemicals can be used: ozone-enriched air, liquid oxidants such as HNO 3 , HClO 4 or different acid mixture under pressure; metal impurities can be removed by treatment with HCl, H 2 SO 4 and its mixtures with HNO 3 or potassium dichromate (for a review, see [1,96]).…”

Nanodiamonds-induced effects on neuronal firing of mouse hippocampal microcircuits

“…Among the multitude of fairly novel materials for scientific, technological and clinical applications, diamond nanocrystals (or nanodiamonds, NDs) earned a solid reputation and vast interest due to their unique features, such as low cytotoxicity 1 , the possibility of stable chemical functionalization and extreme mechanical properties (robustness, low friction coefficient) 2 . The diamond lattice can host a large number of optically active defects 3 , the most common and widely employed of which is represented by the negatively charged nitrogen vacancy complex (also referred as NV center).…”