Targeted delivery through carbon nanomaterials: applications in bioactive delivery systems

Selection of a suitable nanocarrier with an ability to sense and respond to the biological signals is the most essential and challenging step toward the development of a promising targeted drug delivery system. The distinct and integrated physicochemical behavior of carbon nanomaterial presents it as a potential carrier system for site-specific delivery of various therapeutically active moieties including anticancer agents, anti-Alzheimer drugs, neuroprotective agents, antiinflammatory agents, and gene delivery. In addition, these are potentially used in tissue engineering and regenerative medicines. Surface functionalization of carbon nanomaterial is one of the indispensable prerequisites to facilitate drug loading, site-specificity, and safety of the carrier system. Recent investigations are evident that surface functionalization with various bioactives, proteins, peptides, and drug substances improve the therapeutic potency and reduce the toxicity of carbon nanomaterials. The current review article highlights carbon nanomaterial and its biomedical application, including surface functionalization via the covalent and noncovalent coupling. In addition, we have also briefly explained the toxicity profile of carbon nanomaterial.