Graphene and Graphene Family Nanomaterials for Biomedical Applications

A special issue of Pharmaceutics (ISSN 1999-4923). This special issue belongs to the section "Nanomedicine and Nanotechnology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2025 | Viewed by 3078

Special Issue Editor

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The biomedical applications of graphene (Gr) and graphene family nanomaterials (GFNs) have opened new avenues in the field of biotechnology, including drug delivery, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Gr and GFNs, have enormous potential applications owing to their antimicrobial, antibacterial and anticancer properties. Their antibacterial properties may cover a wide spectrum of bacterial strains, including pathogens and bacterial biofilms. The microbial infections represent a high-risk reason for the failure of biomaterial implants in tissue engineering and regeneration. Thus, the advantageous applications of Gr and GFNs represent a novel strategy that may support and regulate antimicrobial and antibacterial therapeutics. Moreover, the utilization in tissue regeneration represents a promising solution due to the favourable cellular adherence and mechanical support. Of course, the major applications of Gr and GFNs are undoubtedly in drug delivery for cancer therapeutics. The inherent obstacles of the pristine graphitic lattice of Gr and GFNs have been debilitated by functionalization to increase the biocompatibility, endocytosis, adherence and stealth properties. The functionalized Gr and GFNs have proven to be beneficial for the adsorption or conjugation of varied active agents, including drugs, genes, peptides and growth factors. The great potential of Gr and GFNs can be combined with external stimuli owing to their photothermal properties and their ability to facilitate the generation of reactive oxygen species upon NIR. Recently, the application of Gr and GFNs as immune adjuvants and their role in immune vaccination has been researched. However, a great question still remains concerning the fate of Gr and GFNs and their metabolic fingerprint.   

This Special Issue aims at providing knowledge and expertise on the field of Gr and GFNs and their potential biomedical applications.

Dr. Athina Angelopoulou
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • graphene
  • graphene oxide
  • biomedical applications
  • cancer
  • regeneration
  • drug delivery
  • antimicrobial effect

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

21 pages, 13212 KiB  
Article
Development and Characterization of a Polycaprolactone/Graphene Oxide Scaffold for Meniscus Cartilage Regeneration Using 3D Bioprinting
by Melike Nur Özder, Aslihan Yelkenci, Mine Kucak, Aylin Altinbay, Cem Bülent Ustündag and Fatih Ciftci
Pharmaceutics 2025, 17(3), 346; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics17030346 - 7 Mar 2025
Viewed by 664
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Meniscus injuries represent a critical challenge in orthopedic medicine due to the limited self-healing capacity of the tissue. This study presents the development and characterization of polycaprolactone/graphene oxide (PCL/GO) scaffolds fabricated using 3D bioprinting technology for meniscus cartilage regeneration. Methods: GO was [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Meniscus injuries represent a critical challenge in orthopedic medicine due to the limited self-healing capacity of the tissue. This study presents the development and characterization of polycaprolactone/graphene oxide (PCL/GO) scaffolds fabricated using 3D bioprinting technology for meniscus cartilage regeneration. Methods: GO was incorporated at varying concentrations (1%, 3%, 5% w/w) to enhance the bioactivity, mechanical, thermal, and rheological properties of PCL scaffolds. Results: Rheological analyses revealed that GO significantly improved the storage modulus (G’) from 36.1 Pa to 97.1 Pa and the yield shear stress from 97.2 Pa to 507.1 Pa, demonstrating enhanced elasticity and flow resistance. Mechanical testing showed that scaffolds with 1% GO achieved an optimal balance, with an elastic modulus of 614 MPa and ultimate tensile strength of 46.3 MPa, closely mimicking the native meniscus’s mechanical behavior. FTIR analysis confirmed the successful integration of GO into the PCL matrix without disrupting its chemical integrity, while DSC analysis indicated improved thermal stability, with increases in melting temperatures. SEM analysis demonstrated a roughened surface morphology conducive to cellular adhesion and proliferation. Fluorescence microscopy using DAPI staining revealed enhanced cell attachment and regular nuclear distribution on PCL/GO scaffolds, particularly at lower GO concentrations. Antibacterial assays exhibited larger inhibition zones against E. coli and S. aureus, while cytotoxicity tests confirmed the biocompatibility of the PCL/GO scaffolds with fibroblast cells. Conclusions: This study highlights the potential of PCL/GO 3D-printed scaffolds as biofunctional platforms for meniscus tissue engineering, combining favorable mechanical, rheological, biological, and antibacterial properties. Full article
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18 pages, 2390 KiB  
Article
Paclitaxel-Loaded, Pegylated Carboxylic Graphene Oxide with High Colloidal Stability, Sustained, pH-Responsive Release and Strong Anticancer Effects on Lung Cancer A549 Cell Line
by Athina Angelopoulou, Myria Papachristodoulou, Efstathia Voulgari, Andreas Mouikis, Panagiota Zygouri, Dimitrios P. Gournis and Konstantinos Avgoustakis
Pharmaceutics 2024, 16(11), 1452; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics16111452 - 14 Nov 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1932
Abstract
Background: Graphene Oxide (GO) has shown great potential in biomedical applications for cancer therapeutics. The biosafety and stability issues of GO in biological media have been addressed by functionalization with polyethylene glycol (PEG). Methods: In this work, carboxylated, nanosized GO (nCGO) [...] Read more.
Background: Graphene Oxide (GO) has shown great potential in biomedical applications for cancer therapeutics. The biosafety and stability issues of GO in biological media have been addressed by functionalization with polyethylene glycol (PEG). Methods: In this work, carboxylated, nanosized GO (nCGO) was evaluated as a potential carrier of paclitaxel (PCT). The effect of PEG characteristics on particle size and surface charge, colloidal stability, drug, and release, and the hemolytic potential of nCGO, was investigated. Optimum PEG-nCGO/PCT formulations based on the above properties were evaluated for their anticancer activity (cytotoxicity and apoptosis induction) in the A549 lung cancer cell line. Results: An increase in the length of linear PEG chains and the use of branched (4-arm) instead of linear PEG resulted in a decrease in hydrodynamic diameter and an increase in ζ potential of the pegylated nCGO particles. Pegylated nCGO exhibited high colloidal stability in phosphate-buffered saline and in cell culture media and low hemolytic effect, even at a relatively high concentration of 1 mg/mL. The molecular weight of PEG and branching adversely affected PCT loading. An increased rate of PCT release at an acidic pH of 6.0 compared to the physiological pH of 7.4 was observed with all types of pegylated nCGO/PCT. Pegylated nCGO exhibited lower cytotoxicity and apoptotic activity than non-pegylated nCGO. Cellular uptake of pegylated nCGO increased with incubation time with cells leading to increased cytotoxicity of PEG-nCGO/PCT with incubation time, which became higher than that of free PCT at 24 and 48 h of incubation. Conclusions: The increased biocompatibility of the pegylated nCGO and the enhanced anticancer activity of PEG-nCGO/PCT compared to free PCT are desirable properties with regard to the potential clinical application of PEG-nCGO/PCT as an anticancer nanomedicine. Full article
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