Fullerene C60 as a Nanocarrier for Diclofenac Drug Delivery

Fullerenes are compounds composed solely of an even number of carbon atoms, which form a cage-like fused-ring polycyclic system with 12 five-membered rings and the rest sixmembered rings. The archetypal example is the sixty-atom structure, where the atoms and bonds delineate a truncated icosahedron. The diameter of a C60 molecule is about 7 Å. Diclofenac is a benzene-acetic acid derivative that is used in the management of moderate to severe pain. Its low half life (2.3 hr) causes it to be used frequently. In this study, Fullerene C60 was used as a vehicle for sustained delivery of diclofenac as a model drug Methods:Diclofenac solutions were prepared and known amount of Fullerene C60 was added. Parameters like time, shaking speed, pH of the solution, temperature, amount of Fullerene C60, and drug concentration on loading efficiency were evaluated. After loading of the drug on to the Fullerene C60, it is separated by filtration and the solvent evaporated to dryness. Release of the drug from the Fullerene C60 was studied using a Franz diffusion cell. Results and discussion:Fullerene C60 was loaded efficiently by diclofenac. Parameters like amount of the Fullerene C60, drug concentration, and time had significant influence on the loading efficiency of Fullerene C60. Adsorption and/or absorption of diclofenac on/in Fullerene C60 strongly slowed down the release of diclofenac compared to theaqueous drug solutions and a sustained release was observed. Conclusion:Fullerene C60 were loaded with diclofenac efficiently and the release rate was slow enough to release the drug in a long duration.

Keywords:

Diclofenc , Fullerene C60 , Drug delivery