In situ photocrosslinkable formulation of nanocomposites based on multi-walled carbon nanotubes and formononetin for potential application in spinal cord injury treatment

Carbon nanotubes (CN) have been studied to treat spinal cord injuries because of its electrical properties and nanometric dimensions. This work aims to develop a photopolymerizable hydrogel containing CN functionalized with an anti-inflammatory molecule to be used in situ on spinal cord injuries. Th...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nanomedicine 2020-10, Vol.29, p.102272-102272, Article 102272
Main Authors: de Vasconcelos, Alessa C.P., Morais, Renata P., Novais, Gabrielle B., da S. Barroso, Sheilla, Menezes, Luana R.O., dos Santos, Stefane, da Costa, Luiz P., Correa, Cristiane Bani, Severino, Patrícia, Gomes, Margarete Z., Albuquerque Júnior, Ricardo L.C., Cardoso, Juliana C.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
carbon nanotube
formononetin
functionalization
GelMA
hydrogel
photocrosslink
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Summary:Carbon nanotubes (CN) have been studied to treat spinal cord injuries because of its electrical properties and nanometric dimensions. This work aims to develop a photopolymerizable hydrogel containing CN functionalized with an anti-inflammatory molecule to be used in situ on spinal cord injuries. The CN functionalization step was done using the drug (formononetin). The nanocomposites were characterized by morphological analysis, FTIR, Raman Spectroscopy, thermal analysis and cytotoxicity assays (MTT and HET-CAM). The nanocomposites were incorporated into gelatin methacryloyl hydrogel and exposed to UV light for photopolymerization. The volume of the formulation and the UV exposition time were also analyzed. The CN characterization showed that formononetin acted as a functionalization agent. The functionalized CN showed safe characteristics and can be incorporated in photocrosslinkable formulation. The UV exposition time for the formulation photopolymerization was compatible with the cell viability and also occurred in the injury site. We designed a formulation that contains carbon nanotube functionalized by formononetin, sparing the use of polymers or other functionalization agent. This nanocomposite was incorporated in a pre-polymer formulation of gelatin methacryloyl, which after UV exposure forms a biocompatible hydrogel. The photocrosslinking process of pre-polymer provides the formulation administration on the injury site. Thus, this formulation intends to improve the reconnection process, acting as a scaffold to neural cell development (GelMA hydrogel), at the same time as delivering anti-inflammatory substances to modulate the inflammatory process (formononetin). In addition, the incorporation of carbon nanotube can promote neuronal outgrowth. [Display omitted] •Formononetin can be used as functionalization agent for carbon nanotubes;•Nanocomposites (CNAFt and CNAFt(ox)) showed cytocompatibility;•Nanocomposites can be incorporated into photocrosslinkable formulation;•The formulation containing nanocomposite was photopolymerized in spinal injury site.
ISSN:1549-9634
1549-9642
DOI:10.1016/j.nano.2020.102272