International Journal of Nanomedicine (Jan 2022)

Protective Effects of Carbon Dots Derived from Armeniacae Semen Amarum Carbonisata Against Acute Lung Injury Induced by Lipopolysaccharides in Rats

  • Zhao Y,
  • Zhang Y,
  • Kong H,
  • Cheng G,
  • Qu H,
  • Zhao Y

Journal volume & issue
Vol. Volume 17
pp. 1 – 14

Abstract

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Yusheng Zhao,1 Yue Zhang,2 Hui Kong,1 Guoliang Cheng,1 Huihua Qu,3 Yan Zhao1 1School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 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; 3Centre of Scientific Experiment, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Huihua Qu; Yan Zhao Tel +86 10 6428 6705Fax +86 1 6428 6821Email [email protected]; [email protected]: The charcoal processed product of Armeniacae Semen Amarum (ASA), ASA Carbonisata (ASAC), has long been used for its anti-inflammatory effects. However, the material basis and mechanism of action of ASAC remain unclear.Aim: To explore the anti-inflammatory effects of Armeniacae Semen Amarum Carbonisata-derived carbon dots (ASAC-CDs).Methods: The physicochemical properties of ASAC-CDs including morphology, optical properties, functional groups were characterized by a series of methods, mainly including electron microscopy, optical technology and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The anti-inflammatory effect of ASAC-CDs was evaluated and confirmed using acute lung injury (ALI) induced by lipopolysaccharides (LPS) in rats.Results: The ASAC-CDs ranged from 1.5 to 5.5 nm in diameter, with a quantum yield of 3.17%. ASAC-CDs alleviated LPS-induced inflammation, as demonstrated by reducing the levels of IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α and increasing the contents of IL-10 in rat serum. More interestingly, ASAC-CDs reduce the content of MDA and MPO and increase the activity of SOD and the content of GSH, indicating the antioxidant activity of ASAC-CDs.Conclusion: These results demonstrate the remarkable anti-inflammatory effects of ASAC-CDs against ALI induced by LPS, which provide an important basis for the application of ASAC-CDs in clinical anti-pneumonia, and lay an experimental foundation for the research and development of novel nano-drugs.Keywords: Armeniacae Semen Amarum Carbonisata, carbon dots, lipopolysaccharide, anti-inflammatory

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