Review article

Biological Applications of Fullerene Derivatives: A Brief Overview

Tatiana Da Ros ; Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Universita di Trieste, Piazzale Europa 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy
Giampiero Spalluto ; Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Universita di Trieste, Piazzale Europa 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy
Maurizio Prato ; Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Universita di Trieste, Piazzale Europa 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy

Abstract

Starting soon after the production of fullerenes in 1990, many efforts have been devoted to the application of C₆₀ and its derivatives. In fact, [60]fullerene possesses a variety of interesting biological properties, such as HIV-P inhibition, DNA photocleavage, neuroprotection, apoptosis, etc. Unfortunately, the low solubility in biological fluids limits the use of these compounds as new pharmacophores for structure-activity relationship studies in medicinal Chemistry. This article briefly summarizes recent studies on the functionalization of C₆₀ aimed at increasing water solubility as well as the preliminary studies performed on biological targets. In particular, the HIV-P inhibition, DNA photocleavage and antibacterial activity are discussed.

Keywords

anti-HIV agent; antibacterial agent; C₆₀; DNA photocleavage; fullerene; fulleropyrrolidine

Hrčak ID:

131951

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/131951

Publication date:

1.11.2001.

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