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Abstract
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Cyclotides are a class of cyclic peptides that can be self-assembled. This study aimed to discover the properties of
cyclotide nanotubes. We performed differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) to characterize their properties.
Then, we incorporated the coumarin as a probe and identified the morphology of nanostructures. The stability of
cyclotide nanotubes after 3 months of keeping at − 20 ◦C was determined by field emission scanning electron
microscopy (FESEM). The cytocompatibility of cyclotide nanotubes was evaluated on peripheral blood mononuclear cells. In vivo, studies were also conducted on female C57BL/6 mice by intraperitoneally administration of
nanotubes at 5, 50, and 100 mg/kg doses. Blood sampling was done before and 24 h after nanotube administration and complete blood count tests were conducted. DSC thermogram showed that the cyclotide nanotubes
were stable after heating until 200 ◦C. Fluorescence microscopy images proved that the self-assembled structures
of cyclotide can encapsulate the coumarin. FESEM proved that these nanotubes were stable even after 3 months.
The results of the cytotoxicity assay and in-vivo study confirmed that these novel prepared nanotubes were
biocompatible. These results suggested that the cyclotide nanotubes could be considered as a new carrier in
biological fields while they are biocompatible.
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