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Synthesis, applications in therapeutics, and bioimaging of traditional Chinese medicine-derived carbon dots

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Abstract

Carbon dots (CDs) are a novel type of fluorescent nanoparticles with a particle size smaller than 10 nm. They possess several advantageous properties, including excellent biocompatibility, light stability, water solubility, and low toxicity. CDs have been widely researched in recent years. As a treasure of ancient Chinese science, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is rich in various active ingredients and has a variety of pharmacodynamic effects, which have been used for thousands of years. TCM-CDs prepared with TCM as carbon source can create some special functions and then may play a greater medicinal value. The purpose of this review was to engage in an in-depth conversation about the use of TCM-CDs in medical therapy and bioimaging. Firstly, this study provides a comprehensive exploration of different synthesis methods for TCM-CDs, comparing their respective advantages and disadvantages. Subsequently, the intrinsic pharmacological activity of TCM-CDs, encompassing antibacterial, hypoglycemic, hemostatic, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory effects, is mainly discussed, alongside their underlying mechanisms of action. Additionally, investigations into in vitro imaging of diverse cell types and the distribution and uptake of TCM-CDs under in vivo imaging guidance are presented. Finally, the significance of TCM-CD research, key challenges and issues within this field, and future directions for development are summarized and outlined.

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Data availability

All relevant data from the study are available within the article.

Abbreviations

CDs:

Carbon dots

TCM:

Traditional Chinese medicine

PL:

Photoluminescence

QY:

Quantum yield

E-CDs:

Ethanol papaya CDs

W-CDs:

Water papaya CDs

CP-CDs:

Codonopsis pilosula-derived CDs

M-CDs:

Mint CDs

O-CDs:

Onion CDs

MIC:

Minimum inhibitory concentration

MBC:

Minimum bactericidal concentration

CFC:

Charred Fructus Crataegi

JSX-CDs:

Jiao Sanxian-derived carbon dots

PTC-CDs:

Pollen Typhae Carbonisata-derived CDs

JMC-CDs:

Junci Medulla Carbonisata-derived CDs

AFI:

Aurantii Fructus Immaturus

PLR:

Pueraria lobata root

MSCs:

Mulberry silkworm cocoons

GCDs:

Ginger carbon dots

ROS:

Reactive oxygen species

MDA:

Malondialdehyde

N-CDs:

Nitrogen-doped CDs

DPPH:

1,1-Diphenyl-2-pyridylhydrazide

Gly-CDs:

Glycyrrhizic acid CDs

PRRSV:

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus

PRV:

Pseudorabies virus

PEDV:

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus

CCM-CDs:

Curcumin CDs

ISGs:

Interferon-stimulating genes

mPD:

m-Phenylenediamine

CR:

Congo fruit

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Science and Technology Innovation Leader and Key Talent Team Project of Shanxi Province (202204051002034), the Key Research and Development Plan of Shanxi Province (202102130501002), and the Scientific Research Project for Returned Overseas Professionals of Shanxi Province (2022-120).

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  1. Susu Guo, Ran Zhang and Yingyu Liu contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Shanxi Medical University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Taiyuan, 030001, Shanxi, China

    Ran Zhang, Yingyu Liu, Xiaoming Liu, Xiuping Wu & Bing Li

  2. Shanxi Province Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases Prevention and New Materials, Taiyuan, 030001, Shanxi, China

    Susu Guo, Ran Zhang, Yingyu Liu, Xiaoming Liu, Xiuping Wu & Bing Li

  3. Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001, Shanxi, China

    Susu Guo

  4. Taiyuan University of Science and Technology, Taiyuan, 030024, Shanxi, China

    Qingmei Zhang

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  1. Susu Guo
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  4. Qingmei Zhang
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  5. Xiaoming Liu
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Contributions

SG designed the structure and content, assembled the literature, and wrote this review. RZ, YL, QZ, XL, XW, and BL provided suggestions and revised this review.

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Correspondence to Xiuping Wu or Bing Li.

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Guo, S., Zhang, R., Liu, Y. et al. Synthesis, applications in therapeutics, and bioimaging of traditional Chinese medicine-derived carbon dots. Carbon Lett. 34, 545–564 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42823-023-00615-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42823-023-00615-y

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