Carbon Dots A Shift in Paradigm of Nanotherapeutics

Abstract

v newlineSummary of the thesis newlineThis thesis, quotCarbon dots: A Shift in Paradigm of Nanotherapeutics is a culmination newlineof research efforts aimed at creating low-cost, straightforward synthetic processes for newlinethe production of carbon dots relevant to biomedical applications. newlineCarbon dots (C-dots), lt10 nm carbonaceous fluorescent nanoparticles, have emerged newlinein recent years as a unique, versatile class of advanced carbon nanomaterials. C-dots newlineexhibit chemical stability, low cytotoxicity, and cell permeability, and have been newlineutilized in varied biological applications. C-dots have been employed as drug delivery newlinevehicles primarily owing to their bioavailability, molecular targeting capabilities, and newlinesolubility in aqueous media. Natural compounds including plant substances, fruit peels, newlinevegetables, and phytochemicals have been utilized as precursors for C-dot synthesis. newlineImportantly, due to the mild synthesis conditions, particularly relatively low newlinepreparation temperatures, C-dot generally retain on their surface functional moieties newlinefrom their carbonaceous precursors, facilitating molecular targeting. Owing to the newlineaforementioned characteristics, therapeutic potential of C-dots against various diseases newlinemodels and underlying mechanisms have been explored. Major aim of the thesis newlineinvolves synthesis of carbon dots from various sources followed by exploring their newlinepotential as emerging therapeutics against different disease models. newlineGenistein, an isoflavone from soybean, has attracted attention due to its health benefits, newlineparticularly antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Clinical applications of newlinegenistein, however, have been limited due to the considerable hydrophobicity and lower newlinebioavailability of the molecule. In this study, C-dots synthesized from genistein as the newlinecarbonaceous precursor exhibit antioxidant properties in test-tube and cell experiments. newlineAnti-inflammatory activity of the genistein-C-dots was also recorded in LPS stimulated newlinemacrophages, manifested in inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokine levels and newlineenhancement a