AUTHOR=Zhao Yafang , Dai Ertong , Dong Liyang , Yuan Jinye , Zhao Yusheng , Wu Tong , Kong Ruolan , Li Menghan , Wang Shuxian , Zhou Long , Yang Yingxin , Kong Hui , Zhao Yan , Qu Huihua 

TITLE=Available and novel plant-based carbon dots derived from Vaccaria Semen carbonisata alleviates liver fibrosis

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences

VOLUME=10

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/molecular-biosciences/articles/10.3389/fmolb.2023.1282929

DOI=10.3389/fmolb.2023.1282929

ISSN=2296-889X

ABSTRACT=<p><bold>Background:</bold> Liver fibrosis represents an intermediate stage in the progression of liver disease, and as of now, there exists no established clinical therapy for effective antifibrotic treatment.</p><p><bold>Purpose:</bold> Our aim is to explore the impact of Carbon dots derived from <italic>Vaccaria Semen</italic> Carbonisata (VSC-CDs) on carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis in mice.</p><p><bold>Methods:</bold> VSC-CDs were synthesized employing a modified pyrolysis process. Comprehensive characterization was performed utilizing various techniques, including transmission electron microscopy (TEM), multiple spectroscopies, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). A hepatic fibrosis model induced by carbon tetrachloride was utilized to evaluate the anti-hepatic fibrosis effects of VSC-CDs.</p><p><bold>Results:</bold> VSC-CDs, exhibiting a quantum yield (QY) of approximately 2.08%, were nearly spherical with diameters ranging from 1.0 to 5.5 nm. The VSC-CDs prepared in this study featured a negative charge and abundant chemical functional groups. Furthermore, these particles demonstrated outstanding dispersibility in the aqueous phase and high biocompatibility. Moreover, VSC-CDs not only enhanced liver function and alleviated liver damage in pathomorphology but also mitigated the extent of liver fibrosis. Additionally, this study marks the inaugural demonstration of the pronounced activity of VSC-CDs in inhibiting inflammatory reactions, reducing oxidative damage, and modulating the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway.</p><p><bold>Conclusion:</bold> VSC-CDs exerted significant potential for application in nanodrugs aimed at treating liver fibrosis.</p>