Evaluation of Fullerene Derivatives Functionalized with Methionine and Cysteine for Dermal Antioxidant Applications

Resumen

Abstract– Fullerene C60, a nanomaterial, has been shown to demonstrate high antioxidant potential. The conjugated spherical structure of the compound enables its ability to accept multiple electrons and neutralize reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, its application in dermal applications is limited by its insolubility in water and low bioavailability. To enhance the efficacy of these materials, fullerene derivatives functionalized with polar amino acids, such as methionine and cysteine, were developed to improve their solubility, biocompatibility, and antioxidant capacity in dermal applications. The chemical functionalization of fullerene with amino acid functional groups was confirmed using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The functionalized fullerene samples exhibited a substantial enhancement in solubility within aqueous media, thereby overcoming the aggregation characteristic of pure C60. In cell assays, the functionalized derivatives exhibited adequate biocompatibility at low concentrations, in contrast to pure C60, which demonstrated significant toxicity after 24 hours. In terms of antioxidant capacity, the formulations with the functionalized product exhibited a significant reduction in ROS production, with the 3% C60-Methionine formulation demonstrating the highest efficacy. In comparison to a commercial dermal product, the experimental formulations exhibited satisfactory antioxidant performance in the initial phase; however, they demonstrated diminished cellular stability after a 24-hour period. This study underscores the potential of methionine and cysteine modifications to enhance the properties of C60, presenting promising alternatives for safer and more functional antioxidant dermal formulations.