In this article we will discuss C60, one of the main components of Contraccine. Although there are many different types of fullerene molecules, C60 is perhaps the best known and certainly the most important from a scientific point of view.
What are fullerenes?
The short answer is that fullerenes are molecules with an even number of carbon atoms (60, 72, 84, etc.). The chemical value of carbon allows it to form many allotropes (structurally different forms of the same element). Diamond and graphite are examples of well-known forms of carbon allotropes. The term fullerene refers to carbon allotropes whose molecules are composed of carbon atoms linked by single and double bonds to form a closed or partially closed network with condensed rings of 5, 6 or 7 atoms. The molecules may be hollow spheres, ellipsoids, tubes or other shapes.
The family of fullerenes is named after its most famous member, C60, also known as Buckminster’s fullerene, which in turn is named after Buckminster Fuller, the famous American designer, architect and inventor.
What is C60?
C60 is a molecule with a soccer ball shaped structure made up of 60 carbon atoms. This unique structure has opened up new horizons in nanotechnology and materials science and it also holds exciting possibilities for biology and medicine. In this article, we will explore the history and the amazing properties of C60 and showcase a particularly remarkable study in which the lifespan of mice was increased by almost 90%.
The history behind its discovery
C60 was discovered in 1985, when scientists Richard Smalley, Robert Curl and Harold Kroto stumbled upon this unique molecule during an experiment to understand the structure of carbon molecules in interstellar dust. The discovery of fullerenes revolutionized materials science, for which the three scientists were awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1996. The C60 molecule is named after the architect Buckminster Fuller, who was famous for his geodesic domes that resemble the molecule’s structure.
Amazing properties
C60 has unique chemical and physical properties, including extreme stability, electronic properties and the ability to neutralize a variety of compounds. These properties make C60 an ideal material for nanotechnology applications such as electronic devices, medical applications and even energy storage.
The Big Surprise: Life extension in mice
For a long time after its discovery, the physiological effects of C60 were not considered, and it was even assumed that its consumption would probably be toxic to living organisms because it was mainly regarded as an industrial substance. When researchers first started to study the toxic effects of C60 on mice, with the aim of exploring its potential adverse effects, they were completely surprised when the results not only disproved their previous assumptions of toxicity, but also highlighted an extraordinary discovery: the molecule was able to extend the lifespan of mice significantly.
The most notable research on C60 is a study published in 2012 (Baati et al., 2012), in which researchers managed to increase the lifespan of mice by almost 90% by regularly administering C60 dissolved in olive oil. Since C60 is not soluble in water, it must be dissolved in olive oil, coconut oil or some other food oil in order to be absorbed. In nutritional science it is well known that olive oil is very healthy but it wasn’t the main cause of the effects, as the study included a control group of mice given olive oil only without C60 and the increase in lifespan in that group was about 8%. Although not negligible, it is still far from 90%. This study is extremely important as it highlights the potential applications of C60 in improving human health and increasing life expectancy.
The research observed that C60 fullerene has an antioxidant activity, which protects against the damaging effects of free radicals, thus contributing significantly to improving animal health and longevity.
Super-antioxidant effect
Another study (Liao et. al., 2021) investigated the protective effect of C60 against intestinal injury from deoxynivalenol toxicity by improving antioxidant capacity in vitro and in vivo. This study demonstrated the antioxidant capabilities of C60 and showed that it significantly promoted cell viability, reduced apoptosis (programmed cell death), reduced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels during deoxynivalenol exposure, and improved antioxidant status in mice. The study notes that the antioxidant capacity of C60 is 125 times that of vitamin C, suggesting a mechanism via direct electron transfer between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and fullerene molecules that leads to the neutralization and degradation of reactive oxygen species (ROS).
C60 is not only known for its very strong antioxidant effect, which allows it to effectively neutralize free radicals, but also for its unique detoxifying properties due to its molecular structure. Thanks to this unique structure, C60 is able to absorb and bind free radicals, heavy metals and other harmful toxins present in the body. Once these harmful substances are bound, C60 helps to safely eliminate them from the body, reducing toxic load and helping to maintain cellular health.
The ability to neutralize free radicals has a protective effect on cells and tissues against oxidative stress and damage caused by harmful substances. This type of detoxifying and protective effect can be particularly important in our modern environment where we are exposed to a wide range of harmful substances on a daily basis, including air pollution, toxic ingredients, chemicals and heavy metals found in food, cosmetics and even pharmaceutical products. Another significant factor is the many electrical devices around us, mobile phones, smart watches, WiFi routers, all of which emit high-frequency electromagnetic radiation and contribute to the production of free radicals in our bodies. Not to mention the recent trend of electric cars. Their motors and battery chargers produce strong electromagnetic fields of a different nature, but they are just as harmful to the human body.
Conclusion
The discovery of C60 and subsequent research has opened up new dimensions in many branches of science. From nanotechnology to medicine, the potential of C60 is vast and exciting. This life extenstion study on mice is just the tip of the iceberg, showing how this nano-scale material can be used to radically improve the quality and longevity of life for humans and even animals or pets.
Research around C60 does not stop at increasing lifespan. Many other potential applications are under investigation, including fighting cancer, fighting viruses and other pathogens and even reversing the aging process. This research is still in its infancy, but C60 has already proven to be a very versatile tool in the hands of scientists.
Ultimately, the discovery and research of C60 will open up exciting new areas for science and technology. As research continues, it will become increasingly clear what role this special molecule can play in the development of future technologies and therapies.