Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have now been used in skin care creams for several years, with marketed anti-aging, moisturizing, and regenerative properties. Information on the harmful effects of these nanoparticles is lacking, a concern for the use of AuNPs as cosmetic ingredients. Testing AuNPs without the medium of a cosmetic product is a typical method for obtaining this information, which is mainly dependent on their size, shape, surface charge, and dose. As these properties depend on the surrounding medium, nanoparticles should be characterized in a skin cream without extraction from the cream’s complex medium as it may alter their physicochemical properties. The current study compares the sizes, morphology, and surface changes of produced dried AuNPs with a polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) stabilizer and AuNPs embedded in a cosmetic cream using a variety of characterization techniques (TEM, SEM, DLS, zeta potential, BET, UV–vis). The results show no observable differences in their shapes and sizes (spherical and irregular, average size of 28 nm) while their surface charges changed in the cream, indicating no major modification of their primary sizes, morphology, and the corresponding functional properties. They were present as individually dispersed nanoparticles and as groups or clusters of physically separated primary nanoparticles in both dry form and cream medium, showing suitable stability. Examination of AuNPs in a cosmetic cream is challenging due to the required conditions of various characterization techniques but necessary for obtaining a clear understanding of the AuNPs’ properties in cosmetic products as the surrounding medium is a critical factor for determining their beneficial or harmful effects in cosmetic products.

(1) Background: Their unique structure and electron deficiency have brought fullerenes into the focus of research in many fields, including medicine. The hyper-harmonized hydroxylated fullerene water complex (3HFWC) formulation has solved the limitations of the poor solubility and bioavailability of fullerenes. To achieve better antitumor activity, 3HFWC was combined with short-term irradiation of cells with hyperpolarized light (HPL) generated by the application of a nanophotonic fullerene filter in a Bioptron^® device. The benefits of HPL were confirmed in the microcirculation, wound healing and immunological function. (2) Methods: B16, B16-F10 and A375 melanoma cells were exposed to a wide spectrum of 3HFWC doses and to a single short-term HPL irradiation. (3) Results: Apart from the differences in the redox status and level of invasiveness, the effects of the treatments were quite similar. Decreased viability, morphological alteration, signs of melanocytic differentiation and cellular senescence were observed upon the successful internalization of the nanoquantum substance. (4) Conclusions: Overall, 3HFWC/HPL promoted melanoma cell reprogramming toward a normal phenotype.

In our recent study, we showed that in vitro treatment of melanoma cells with hyperpolarized light (HPL) as well as with the second derivative of fullerene, hyper-harmonized hydroxylated fullerene water complex (3HFWC) reduced viability of cells by decreasing their proliferative capacity and inducing senescence and reprogramming towards a normal, melanocytic phenotype. Therefore, we wanted to determine whether these effects persisted in vivo in the syngeneic mouse melanoma model with a combined treatment of HPL irradiation and 3HFWC per os. Our results demonstrated the potent antitumor effects of 3HFWC nanosubstance assisted by HPL irradiation. These effects were primarily driven by the stimulation of melanoma cell growth arrest, the establishment of a senescent phenotype, and melanocytic differentiation on the one hand, and the awakening of the antitumor immune response on the other. In addition, the combined treatment reduced the protumorigenic activity of immune cells by depleting T regulatory cells, myeloid-derived suppressors, and M2 macrophages. The support of the 3HFWC substance by HPL irradiation may be the axis of the new approach design based on tumor cell reprogramming synchronized with the mobilization of the host’s protective immune response.

The most symmetric molecule, Buckminster fullerene C₆₀, due to its unique properties, has been intensively studied for various medical and technological advances. Minimally invasive and minimally toxic treatments hold great promise for future applications. With this in mind, this research exploited the physical properties of fullerene molecules for potential therapeutic effects. Pristine fullerenes have peak absorbance in the 380–500 nm range, making them an attractive violet-blue light filter. Since spectral quality of light can affect behavior, this research used resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs fMRI) and behavioral testing to directly evaluate the effects of fullerene-filtered light on brain processing and behavior in mice. The same method was used to study if hydroxyl fullerene water complexes (3HFWC), with or without fullerene-filtered light, modulated brain processing. A month-long, daily exposure to fullerene-filtered light led to decreased activation of the brain area involved in emotional processing (amygdala). Water supplemented with 3HFWC resulted in an activation of brain areas involved in pain modulation and processing (periaqueductal gray), and decreased latency to first reaction when tested with a hot plate. The combination of fullerene-filtered light with 3HFWC in drinking water led to restored sensitivity to a hot plate and activation of brain areas involved in cognitive functions (prelimbic, anterior cingulate and retrosplenial cortex). These results uncovered the potential of fullerene-filtered light to impact emotional processing and modulate pain perception, indicating its further use in stress and pain management.

The surface plasmon resonance of gold nanoparticles causes visible light absorption and scattering effects that may be used in optical coatings for eliminating blue light emission from display monitors, for blocking UV light, and for decorative applications. This study examines the achievement of functional properties provided by gold nanoparticles in a commercially established C₆₀ fullerene-coated eyewear product. The gold nanoparticles used were sourced from recycling rapid lateral flow tests (LFIA), which use gold nanoparticles as test markers. After the gold’s recovery, Ultrasonic Spray Pyrolysis (USP) with freeze-drying was used for the synthesis of new gold nanoparticles, to be used in optical coatings. The gold nanoparticles were examined with SEM, TEM, DLS, zeta potential, BET, and Vis-NIR for characterising their shapes and sizes, as is required for determination of the surface plasmon resonance effect. After applying the newly produced gold nanoparticles with fullerene C₆₀ in a combined coating for eyewear lenses, the absorption and transmission of the lenses were determined for establishing changes in the coating’s functionality. The results show that enhancing the fullerene C₆₀ coating with gold nanoparticles improves light absorption and reflectance for blue and UV light further, which may be evaluated as beneficial for the eyewear user, as the reduction in eye strain is increased due to the coating.

The surface plasmon resonance of gold nanoparticles causes visible light absorption and scattering effects that may be used in optical coatings for eliminating blue light emission from display monitors, blocking UV light and for decorative applications. This study examines the achievement of functional properties provided by gold nanoparticles in a commercially established C60 fullerene-coated eyewear product. The gold nanoparticles used were sourced from recycling rapid lateral flow tests (LFIA), which use gold nanoparticles as test markers. After the gold`s recovery Ultrasonic Spray Pyrolysis (USP) with freeze-drying was used for the synthesis of new gold nanoparticles, to be used in optical coatings. The gold nanoparticles were examined with SEM, TEM, DLS, zeta potential, BET, and Vis-NIR for characterising their shapes and sizes, required for determination of the surface plasmon resonance effect. After applying the newly produced gold nanoparticles with fullerene C60 in a combined coating for eyewear lenses, the absorption and transmission of the lenses was determined for establishing changes in the coating functionality. The results show that enhancing the fullerene C60 coating with gold nanoparticles improves light absorption and reflectance for blue and UV light further, which may be evaluated as beneficial for the eyewear user, as the reduction of eye strain is improved due to the coating.