Investigation of Mechano-Chemical Properties and Biocompatibility Evaluation of Graphene-Based Nanocomposites as Novel Drug Delivery Carriers

Objective: This study aimed to comprehensively investigate the mechano-chemical properties and evaluate the biocompatibility of graphene-based nanocomposites as novel drug delivery carriers. Methods: This research was conducted as a systematic review following the PRISMA ۲۰۲۰ guidelines. A systematic search was performed across international databases including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct, and Google Scholar, alongside domestic databases (SID and MagIran), covering the period from January ۲۰۲۰ to June ۲۰۲۶. Following the screening process, ۲۵ eligible articles were selected, and data were extracted using a standardized form and analyzed via a descriptive-analytical approach. Results: The findings demonstrated that incorporating graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) into polymeric matrices-such as chitosan, PVA, and PLA-significantly enhances the Young's modulus (up to ۲۰۰%) and tensile strength. These nanocomposites exhibit high drug loading capacity (e.g., for doxorubicin) alongside controlled, pH-dependent, and photo-thermal release profiles. Biocompatibility evaluations indicated low cytotoxicity for functionalized composites in in vitro studies; however, pristine graphene may induce oxidative stress at elevated doses. Conclusion: Properly functionalized graphene-based nanocomposites hold great potential as smart drug carriers for targeted cancer therapy and tissue engineering. Despite substantial advancements, long-term toxicity assessments and production scalability remain critical areas requiring further investigation.

کلیدواژه ها:

Graphene nanocomposite ، Graphene oxide ، Drug carrier ، Mechanical properties ، Biocompatibility ، Controlled drug delivery ، Systematic review