Green nanoarchitectonics of carbon quantum dots from Cinchona Pubescens Vahl as targeted and controlled drug cancer nanocarrier

• Published in: Biomaterials advances 2023-10, Vol.153, p.213561-213561, Article 213561
• Main Authors: González-Reyna, M A, Molina, Gustavo Andrés, Juarez-Moreno, Karla, Rodríguez-Torres, Angelina, Esparza, Rodrigo, Estevez, Miriam
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 2772-9508; 2772-9508
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bioadv.2023.213561

Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) are a new carbon-based nanomaterial that has attracted tremendous attention due to their excellent fluorescent properties, chemical stability, water solubility, and biocompatibility features. Here, fluorescent CQDs synthesized by a green nanoarchitectonic method using Cinchona Pubescens Vahl extract were evaluated as drug nanocarriers for carboplatin (CBP) delivery. The characterization methods showed CQDs with semispherical shapes and sizes around 5 nm, temperature- and pH-dependent functional groups that interact with the CBP molecule adding specificity to the drug-delivery system. Based on the load efficiency results, it seems that the CQDs can carry almost 100 μg of carboplatin for every 1 mg of CQDs. This is possible due to the self-assembly process that takes place through the interaction between the protonation/deprotonation functional groups of CQDs and the hydrolyzed CBP molecule. Through this process, it is created spherical nanoparticles with an average size of 77.44 nm. The CQDs-CBP nanoparticles release the drug through a diffusion-controlled release mechanism where the acidic media is preferred, and the EPR effect also plays a helpful role. Besides, the viability test shows that the CQDs have almost null cytotoxicity suggesting that they could be used as a promising cancer treatment, improving the efficiency of cell internalization and significantly increasing their drug delivery.