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Pharmaceutics
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Carbon-Based Nanomaterials for Pharmaceutical Applications
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Carbon-Based Nanomaterials for Pharmaceutical Applications

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 July 2026 | Viewed by 3089

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Danica Jović

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 3, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
Interests: nanochemistry; nanomedicine; (carbon) nanomaterials; cancer therapy; nanodrug delivery; nanocharacterization
Dr. Ivana Borišev

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 3, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
Interests: carbon nanomaterials; nanodrug delivery; nanoformulations of anticancer drugs

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Pharmaceutics journal is pleased to announce a Special Issue on “Carbon-Based Nanomaterials for Pharmaceutical Applications”. Carbon-based nanomaterials (CBNs) have emerged as a promising platform for pharmaceutical application and are being praised not only for their tunable yet unique physicochemical properties such as size, large surface area, versatility, and adaptability, but also for their biocompatibility and safety. This nanomaterial family comprises fullerenes, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), graphene and its derivatives, carbon nanodots (CDs), carbon nanodiamonds (CNDs), and carbon nanohorns (CNHs) and has significantly reshaped the existing possibilities of drug delivery, diagnostics, theranostics, etc.

We cordially invite the high-quality, advanced original research articles and critical reviews that explore the recent advances, current challenges, and emerging opportunities within design, synthesis, and application of CBNs in pharmaceutical research and development.

Among the featured topics are design of enhanced CBN-based drug delivery (stimuli-responsive/controlled drug release/targeted therapy) systems and platforms for combined diagnostic and therapeutic use, CBN-based phototermal/photodynamic therapeutics, as well as CBN toxicity and biosafety assessment.

We are looking forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Danica Jović
Dr. Ivana Borišev
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Pharmaceutics is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • carbon-based nanomaterials
  • drug delivery
  • fullerenes
  • graphene
  • carbon nanotubes
  • nanodiamonds
  • carbon dots
  • biocompatibility
  • pharmaceutical applications

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 7168 KB  
Article
Nanodiamonds Co-Localize with Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Foamy Macrophages of Infected Mouse Lungs
by Maria V. Erokhina, Alexander G. Masyutin, Georgii V. Lisichkin, Pavel G. Mingalev, Gennadii A. Badun, Larisa N. Lepekha, Irina V. Bocharova, Ekaterina K. Tarasova and Atadzhan E. Ergeshov
Pharmaceutics 2026, 18(6), 671; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics18060671 - 29 May 2026
Viewed by 367
Abstract
Background: Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis). Drug-resistant TB remains a major public health challenge and calls for new approaches to drug development. Targeted delivery of antibacterial agents using nanoscale carriers represents one such [...] Read more.
Background: Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis). Drug-resistant TB remains a major public health challenge and calls for new approaches to drug development. Targeted delivery of antibacterial agents using nanoscale carriers represents one such approach. A decisive factor for efficient targeting is the judicious selection of the carrier platform. Methods: In the present study, diamond nanoparticles were evaluated as a prospective vehicle for conveying anti-TB drugs to lung cells. Conventional and analytical transmission electron microscopy were used to analyze the localization of the nanodiamonds (NDs) in the lungs of M. tuberculosis-infected mice 30 days after nanoparticle administration and 44 days post-infection. Results: The study shows that the NDs co-localize with M. tuberculosis in foamy macrophages of the lung, residing in the same cellular compartments—phagosomes/phagolysosomes and lipid droplets. These in vivo results demonstrate a high degree of macrophage-specific accumulation of NDs relative to M. tuberculosis. Conclusions: Consequently, NDs can be considered a promising carrier for targeted delivery of anti-TB therapeutics to the lungs during TB-induced inflammation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon-Based Nanomaterials for Pharmaceutical Applications)
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28 pages, 9295 KB  
Article
Andrographolide-Loaded Gold Carbon Quantum Dots and Their Doped Derivatives for Enhanced Hydrophilicity in a Drug Delivery System
by Wenndy Pantoja-Romero, Alexis Lavín Flores, Alejandro Lozada-Jerez, MiaSara Perez-Salvá, Fabiola Rosa-Suárez, Orestes Quesada, Magaly Martínez-Ferrer, Gerardo Morell and Brad R. Weiner
Pharmaceutics 2026, 18(6), 647; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics18060647 - 24 May 2026
Viewed by 520
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Andrographolide (ADG) is a plant-derived compound with promising anticancer properties, but its medical use is limited due to poor water solubility and low bioavailability. This study proposes developing a gold-based nanocomposite drug delivery system, using a simplified synthesis method, to improve ADG’s [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Andrographolide (ADG) is a plant-derived compound with promising anticancer properties, but its medical use is limited due to poor water solubility and low bioavailability. This study proposes developing a gold-based nanocomposite drug delivery system, using a simplified synthesis method, to improve ADG’s hydrophilicity and enhance its delivery efficiency. Methods: A one-step method was used to synthesize gold nanocomposites with carbon quantum dots (CBQDs) and doped CBQDs acting as reducing and stabilizing agents. These nanocomposites were then conjugated with ADG and thoroughly characterized using multiple structural and spectroscopic techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Raman spectroscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Hydrophilicity enhancement was evaluated using NMR-based log P measurements. Biological assessment involved cell viability assays and confocal microscopy studies in PC3 prostate cancer cells, along with the morphological evaluation of human red blood cells. Results: XRD confirmed the formation of crystalline, face-centered cubic gold nanoparticles, while spectroscopic analyses verified successful nanocomposite formation and ADG conjugation. NMR results showed enhanced hydrophilicity of ADG. Biological tests demonstrated that the nanocomposites were compatible with cells. Conclusions: This study presents a straightforward strategy for synthesizing gold-based nanocomposites that enhance the hydrophilicity and delivery potential of andrographolide, supporting their applicability as nanocarrier platforms for anticancer drug delivery. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon-Based Nanomaterials for Pharmaceutical Applications)
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24 pages, 7143 KB  
Article
Spectroscopic Insights into Nanodiamond–Doxorubicin Interactions in Drug Delivery Systems for Potential Cancer Treatment: “What Is Essential Is Invisible to the Eye”
by Danica Jović, Branislav Jović, Ivana Borišev, Višnja Bogdanović and Aleksandar Djordjevic
Pharmaceutics 2026, 18(4), 438; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics18040438 - 1 Apr 2026
Viewed by 1198
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Non-covalent nanocarrier-based systems have become a promising platform as they offer a strategy to improve the efficacy-safety profile of doxorubicin (DOX) without altering its chemical structure. Praised for biocompatibility and rich surface chemistry, nanodiamonds (NDs) have launched as nanocarriers of choice [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Non-covalent nanocarrier-based systems have become a promising platform as they offer a strategy to improve the efficacy-safety profile of doxorubicin (DOX) without altering its chemical structure. Praised for biocompatibility and rich surface chemistry, nanodiamonds (NDs) have launched as nanocarriers of choice for advanced cancer therapy. By investigating DOX-ND physicochemical interactions, this work advances the structural understanding of a non-covalent potential anticancer system, which has not been quantitatively experimentally explored so far. Methods: To our knowledge, this is among the first studies combining ultraviolet–visible (UV–VIS) spectroscopy with spectral deconvolution to reveal the redistribution of different DOX species in the presence of NDs. Centrifugation-assisted analysis enabled differentiation between hypothetical labile and stable ND/DOX fractions. Adsorption kinetics was studied, and dynamic light scattering (DLS) measured particle size and zeta potential. In vitro screening was performed in non-malignant fibroblasts (MRC-5) and malignant melanoma (HS294T), glioblastoma (U251), and breast cancer (MCF-7) cells to evaluate ND/DOX combinations. Results: Centrifugation analysis revealed heterogeneous ND-DOX binding. Kinetic experiments showed fast multi-stage adsorption kinetics, best described by a bi-exponential decay function and the Weber–Morris model. DLS suggested stable systems with a particle size within 10–80 nm, predominantly around 20 nm, and positive zeta potential. Comparative in vitro screening demonstrated differential cellular responses across cell types, highlighting the relevance of ND/DOX interactions. Conclusions: The findings contribute to elucidating ND-DOX interactions relevant for the design and optimization of drug delivery systems, emphasizing the importance of spectroscopic insights for the design of nanodiamond-based drug delivery systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon-Based Nanomaterials for Pharmaceutical Applications)
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