Carbon nanotube-anandamide complex exhibits sustained protective effects in an in vitro model of stroke

The therapeutic potential of anandamide (AEA) for the neurological disorders may be negatively affected by its short half-life or poor solubility. The superior properties of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) for controlled drug delivery, prompted us to design AEA-CNTs complex and assess its effect in in vitro model of ischemic stroke.
In this experimental study, a multi-walled CNTs (MWCNTs)-AEA complex was prepared using amino-functionalized COOH-MWCNTs and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. PC12 cells in the presence of AEA (0.5, 1, 2 μg/ml), acid- or amine-modified MWCNTs, or MWCNTs-AEA complex (2, 5, 8 μg/ml) were exposed to 1 and 3 h oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) followed by 24 h re-oxygenation. In vitro cytotoxicity and oxidative stress were evaluated using three-way ANOVA.
AEA immobilization on the aminated MWCNTs was confirmed. OGD significantly reduced cell viability (P0.05). MWCNTs-AEA complex was effective at both time points (MDA and GSH: P Aminated MWCNTs are suitable carriers for AEA and provide longer- lasting effects against OGD insult.