Carbon nanotubes are newer generation material broadly emerged for biomedical applications due to its tempting properties such as size and aspect ratio covering surface area to the length, electrical, mechanical and thermal properties in addition to their unique architecture. The view for CNT-based nanomedicines is attractive and promising. Carbon nanotubes compared to other nanocarriers can be easily modified for conjugation of bioactive compounds and ligands for targeting. The applications of carbon nanotubes are not only limited to drug delivery but also in diagnostic applications. Due to a variety of applications in drug delivery, it is necessary to bear in mind the toxicities of carbon nanotubes and catch the way to overcome the problems related to toxicities. Currently, many studies have explored the biodegradation mechanism of carbon nanotubes. Biodegradation shows a conspicuous pathway that enables degradation and removal of CNTs from living body and catalyzes the release of the load from the CNTs. Many articles have been published till date which evidentiary provides the promising applications of CNTs. The present review seeks to provide an overview on intracellular fate, applications and toxicities of CNTs.
Keywords: Carbon nanotubes; biodegradation; biomedical applications; intracellular fate; toxicity.