Potential Treatment of Parkinson’S Disease Using New-Generation Carbon Nanotubes: A Biomolecular <i>In Silico</i> Study

Abstract

<b>Background:</b> One of the underlying mechanisms of Parkinson's disease is the aggregation of α-synuclein proteins, including amyloids and Lewy bodies in the brain. <b>Aim:</b> To study the inhibitory effect of doped carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on amyloid aggregation. <b>Materials & methods:</b> Molecular dynamics tools were utilized to simulate the influence of CNTs doped with phosphorus, nitrogen and bromine and nitrogen on the formation of α-synuclein amyloid. <b>Results:</b> The CNTs exhibited strong interactions with α-synuclein, with phosphorus-doped CNTs having the most substantial interactions. <b>Conclusion:</b> Doped-CNTs, especially phosphorus-doped carbon nanotube could effectively prevent α-synuclein amyloid formation, thus, it could be considered as a potential treatment for Parkinson's disease. However, further <i>in vitro</i> and clinical investigations are required.