Allium sativum derived carbon dots as a potential theranostic agent to combat the COVID-19 crisis

• Published in: Sensors international 2021, Vol.2, p.100102-100102, Article 100102
• Main Authors: Kalkal, Ashish, Allawadhi, Prince, Pradhan, Rangadhar, Khurana, Amit, Bharani, Kala Kumar, Packirisamy, Gopinath
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Allicin; Anti-inflammatory; Carbon dots; Coronavirus; COVID-19; Garlic
• ISSN: 2666-3511; 2666-3511
• DOI: 10.1016/j.sintl.2021.100102

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is one of the worst pandemics to have hit the humanity. The manifestations are quite varied, ranging from severe lung infections to being asymptomatic. Hence, there is an urgent need to champion new tools to accelerate the end of this pandemic. Compromised immunity is a primary feature of COVID-19. Allium sativum (AS) is an effective dietary supplement known for its immune-modulatory, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antifungal, and anti-viral properties. In this paper, it is hypothesized that carbon dots (CDs) derived from AS (AS-CDs) may possess the potential to downregulate the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and revert the immunological aberrations to normal in case of COVID-19. CDs have already been explored in the world of nanobiomedicine as a promising theranostic candidates for bioimaging and drug/gene delivery. The antifibrotic and antioxidant effects of AS are elaborated, as demonstrated in several studies. It is found that the most active constituent of AS, allicin has a highly potent antioxidant and reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging effect. The antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-viral effects along with their capability of negating inflammatory effects and cytokine storm are discussed. The synthesis of theranostic CDs from AS may provide a novel weapon in the therapeutic armamentarium for the management of COVID-19 infection and, at the same time, could act as a diagnostic agent for COVID-19. •AS-CDs are potential theranostic agent with anti-viral and bioimaging capabilities.•AS-CDs can modulate the activity of NFkB, MAPKinase, and scavenge ROS species.•It can evade COVID-19 liaised inflammation and cytokine storm by activating Nrf2.•AS-CDs can be delivered through nebulization method.•AS-CDs might be capable of attenuating the progressive symptoms of COVID-19.