Abstract
Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have unique structure with high surface area that made its successful to be adsorbed or conjugated with drugs, genes, vaccines, antibodies or biosensors in pharmacy and also in medicine. CNT also first proven as excellent vehicle carrier without metabolism by the body into cells. For this purpose, the CNT should be highlighted on the potential of toxicity effect on cells. Herein, the synthesized CNT from fermented tapioca was functionalized with polyethylene bis(amine) MW2000 (PEG 2000-NH2) and coated with doxorubicin (DOX) to form CNT-PEG/DOX complex structure. The synthesized CNTs were characterized with field emission scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and Raman spectroscopy. For the cytotoxicity assays, the test was carried out at 24 and 48 h for CNTs concentrations applied at 5 and 10 µg/ml except for the complex CNT–PEG/DOX; doxorubicin concentration at 0.1 and 0.5 µM. Results showed high viability cells (above 95 % at 24 h and 48 h post-treatment) for the functionalized CNT-PEG test. On the other hand, the complex CNT-PEG/DOX indicate higher cytotoxicity on cells at both 24 and 48 h treatment with cells viability at 69 % and 44 %, respectively. Therefore, from this finding it can be concluded that CNTs can be modified to make it biocompatible to cells and at low dosage it remains as effective as drug carrier agent. Further test in vivo should be carryout in future to complete the research