International Journal of Nanomedicine (Nov 2020)

Carbon Dots from Paeoniae Radix Alba Carbonisata: Hepatoprotective Effect

  • Zhao Y,
  • Zhang Y,
  • Kong H,
  • Zhang M,
  • Cheng J,
  • Wu J,
  • Qu H,
  • Zhao Y

Journal volume & issue
Vol. Volume 15
pp. 9049 – 9059

Abstract

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Yusheng Zhao,1 Yue Zhang,2 Hui Kong,3 Meiling Zhang,3 Jinjun Cheng,3 Jiashu Wu,3 Huihua Qu,4 Yan Zhao3 1School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, People’s Republic of China; 2School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, People’s Republic of China; 3School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, People’s Republic of China; 4Centre of Scientific Experiment, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Huihua Qu Tel +86 10 6428 6705Fax +86 10 6428 6821Email [email protected] Zhao Tel +86 10 6428 6705Fax +86 10 6428 6821Email [email protected]: The charcoal processed product of Paeoniae Radix Alba (PRA), PRA Carbonisata (PRAC), has long been used for its hepatoprotective effects. However, the material basis and mechanism of action of PRAC remain unclear.Aim: To explore the hepatoprotective effects of Paeoniae Radix Alba Carbonisata-derived carbon dots (PRAC-CDs).Methods: PRAC-CDs were characterized using transmission electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, ultraviolet, fluorescence, Fourier transform infrared and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and high-performance liquid chromatography. The hepatoprotective effect of PRAC-CDs was evaluated and confirmed using the classic carbon tetrachloride acute liver injury model.Results: PRAC-CDs averaged 1.0– 2.4 nm in size and exhibited a quantum yield of 5.34% at a maximum excitation wavelength of 320 nm and emission at 411 nm. PRAC-CDs can reduce the ALT and AST levels of mice with carbon tetrachloride-induced acute liver injury and have a mitigating effect on the rise in TBA and TBIL. More interestingly, PRAC-CDs can significantly reduce MDA and increase SOD levels, demonstrating that PRAC-CDs can improve the body’s ability to scavenge oxygen free radicals and inhibit free radical-induced liver cell lipid peroxidation, thereby preventing liver cell damage.Conclusion: These results demonstrate the remarkable hepatoprotective effects of PRAC-CDs against carbon tetrachloride-induced acute liver injury, which provide new insights into potential biomedical and healthcare applications of CDs.Keywords: Paeoniae Radix Alba carbonisata, carbon dots, hepatoprotective

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