Nerve growth factor-carbon nanotube complex exerts prolonged protective effects in an in vitro model of ischemic stroke

The therapeutic potential of nerve growth factor (NGF) against the neurological disorders may be negatively affected by its short half-life. Based on the superior properties of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) for controlled drug delivery, we aimed to prepare CNT-NGF complex and evaluate its effect in an in vitro model of ischemic stroke. Multi-walled CNTs (MWCNTs)-NGF complex was prepared using amino-functionalized COOH-MWCNTs and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. PC12 cells in the absence or presence of NGF (0.5, 1, 2μg/ml), acid- or amine-modified MWCNTs, or MWCNTs-NGF complex (2, 4, 8μg/ml) were exposed to 1 and 6h oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) followed by 24h re-oxygenation. Cytotoxicity and oxidative stress were evaluated. OGD significantly reduced the cell viability (P