Nanotechnology has been widely studied in biomedical applications in the last decade. The revolution in nanotechnology triggers the fabrication of nanomaterials with novel properties and functionalities, making the research in nanosensors and biomedical rapidly expanding. Nanosensor application has improved the sensitivity by enhancing their catalytic activity, conductivity, and biocompatibility.
Calixarene is excellent as a sensing
element used as a sensor due to its unique host-guest properties. Three major types of
calixarene which are extensively studied are
calix[4]arene,
calix[6]arene, and calix[8]arene. These organic nanomaterials resemble vase-like supramolecular structures and exhibit valuable properties.
Calixarene's basic molecular design is the cyclic
phenol tetramer with four aryl groups, perfect for molecular recognition such as
cations, transition
metal ions, and
heavy metals.
Calixarenes may form stable complexes with biomolecules in developing biosensors for
protein,
enzyme, and antibody sensing.
Calixarene's lower rim can be modified for optimum molecular interaction with guest molecules such as
anions,
cations, and neutral molecules. The lower ring has welldefined conformation properties and cavities, which allow trapping guest drugs such as
imatinib,
paclitaxel, and
temozolomide.
Calixarene also possesses good biocompatibility and innocuousness and gained attention for
cancer treatment due to the response to multiple stimuli, stability, avoiding non-specific cell uptake, and reaching the target for treatment effect. This review paper focuses on the synthesis and characteristics of
calixarene applied in nanosensors as an ideal complex agent in
drug transportation and controlled
drug released for biomedical research.