Synthesis, toxicity, biocompatibility, and biomedical applications of graphene and graphene-related materials

Abstract

Graphene is a two-dimensional atomic crystal, and since its development it has been applied in many novel ways in both research and industry. Graphene possesses unique properties, and it has been used in many applications including sensors, batteries, fuel cells, supercapacitors, transistors, components of high-strength machinery, and display screens in mobile devices. In the past decade, the biomedical applications of graphene have attracted much interest. Graphene has been reported to have antibacterial, antiplatelet, and anticancer activities. Several salient features of graphene make it a potential candidate for biological and biomedical applications. The synthesis, toxicity, biocompatibility, and biomedical applications of graphene are fundamental issues that require thorough investigation in any kind of applications related to human welfare. Therefore, this review addresses the various methods available for the synthesis of graphene, with special reference to biological synthesis, and highlights the biological applications of graphene with a focus on cancer therapy, drug delivery, bio-imaging, and tissue engineering, together with a brief discussion of the challenges and future perspectives of graphene. We hope to provide a comprehensive review of the latest progress in research on graphene, from synthesis to applications.

The mechanisms of graphene-based materials-induced programmed cell death: a review of apoptosis, autophagy, and programmed necrosis

“…GBMs present in biomedical and non-biomedical products have shown potential toxicity to human beings, animals, and cells. [11][12][13] Several reviews have summarized that GBMs resulted in various degrees of cell death. 14,15 For example, GO and rGO treatments resulted in dose-dependent cell death in A549 cells and HUVEC cells, and the functionalization decreased cytotoxicity and cell death.…”

Quercetin-mediated synthesis of graphene oxide–silver nanoparticle nanocomposites: a suitable alternative nanotherapy for neuroblastoma

“…15 Among several nanoparticles, AgNPs are the most frequently used nanoparticles in a variety of biomedical applications, including diagnostics, drug delivery, biomarkers, and distinct antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-biofilm agents. [16][17][18] In addition, AgNPs exhibited an anticancer property in various cancer cell lines, such as Dalton's lymphoma ascites (DLA) cell lines, 19 human lung cancer cells, 17 human breast cancer cells, 20 and human ovarian cancer cells, 21 and an antiangiogenic property in endothelial cells.…”

“…22,23 Similarly, graphene and graphene-related nanomaterials have attracted much interest due to their unique physical and chemical properties, such as their exceptionally large surface area, high electrical conductivity, good thermal stability, and excellent mechanical strength and elasticity, 24 and they have been used as anticancer agents and in other biomedical applications, including bio-imaging, gene delivery, tissue engineering, and drug delivery. 15 In the development of graphene-related materials for biomedical applications under in vivo conditions, cytotoxicity and biocompatibility studies are indispensable. Therefore, many studies have been dedicated to examining the effects of graphene, GO, and graphene-related nanomaterials in various cell culture systems.…”

Novel biomolecule lycopene-reduced graphene oxide-silver nanoparticle enhances apoptotic potential of trichostatin A in human ovarian cancer cells (SKOV3)

“…25 Recently, graphene and graphene-related materials have been used with much interest in biomedical applications including antibacterial and anticancer activity, imaging, tissue engineering, and drug delivery, and as biomarkers. 26 Graphene-based nanomaterials have been shown as excellent and suitable platforms for anchoring silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) for the production of graphene-Ag nanocomposites used as antimicrobial and anticancer agents. [27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35] Among several metallic nanoparticles, AgNPs are widely used in industry as well as biomedical applications due to their unique physical, chemical, and biological properties, particularly antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antiangiogenic activities.…”