Carbon nanomaterials as electrochemical sensors for theophylline: a review

Abstract

Theophylline (TP) is a methylxanthine derivative, which serves as a valuable compound in treating respiratory disorders and acts as a bronchodilator agent. However, TP has a limited therapeutic range (20–100 μmol L⁻¹), demanding precise monitoring to prevent potential drug toxicity even with slight level fluctuations during treatment. Thus, to overcome this limitation, electrochemical methods have been extensively used due to their efficacy in achieving sensitivity, selectivity, and accuracy. In the context of electrochemical sensors, nanocarbon-based materials have gained widespread recognition for their extensive applications. Therefore, this review aims to explore the latest advancements in carbon-based electrodes particularly used for the precise determination of TP through electrochemical methods. The results are expected to provide insights into the profound significance of the methods in enhancing the accuracy and sensitivity for the detection of TP.