An investigation on drug delivery systems containing carbon nanotubes

The aim of this thesis is to perform basic investigations to understand the possibility of using nanotechnological products namely carbon nanotubes (CNT) as drug delivery systems. Multiwall and doublewall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT, DWCNT) were used as delivery system. PEGylated carbon nanotubes (with PEG 4000 and PEG 400) were also used.Anticancer drugs oxaliplatin, paclitaxel and antiinflammatory drugs naproxen and ibuprofen which have some positive and recently reported anticancer effect when administered with other anticancer compounds were selected as model drug molecules.Hydroxypropylcellulose (HPMC) was selected as jelling agent for formulation studies. Iontophoresis was used to enhance penetration of molecules through membranes. The characteristic properties of CNT and model molecules were determined. The adsorption and desorption properties of drugs with CNT were studied.The penetration properties of molecules with CNT complexes were determined using dialysis membrane. The CNT membrane was prepared for transdermal application. The released drug controlled and could increased by iontophoresis succesfully. CNT complexes with drugs were subjected to the cell culture experiments to determine cell viability after exposition. Caco-2, SK MEL-30 and MCF-7 cell lines were used.A cancer model was developed on mouse in our laboratory. SK MEL-30 cells were inoculated to the dermis of mice. The radius of the tumors were measured. Developed tumors were then treated with oxaliplatin-gel, oxaliplatin-MWCNT-gel and oxaliplatin-MWCNT membrane+iontophoresis. The tumor decrease was found to be significant with oxaliplatin-MWCNT-gel and oxaliplatin-MWCNT membrane+iontophoresis. Tumor mass decreased to 0.710 mm with oxaliplatin-MWCNT-gel and 0.717 mm after oxaliplatin-MWCNT membrane+iontophoresis application.Keywords: DWCNT, MWCNT, Oxaliplatin, Naproxen, Ibuprofen, Paclitaxel, pegylation, developing of cancer model on mouse, gel, iontophoresis, anti cancer drugs, NSAID, UPLC, skin penetration.