Carbon Dots as a Fluorescent Nanosystem for Crossing the Blood-Brain Barrier with Plausible Application in Neurological Diseases

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2025-04

Authors

Catarina Araújo (Author) FEUP; Raquel O. Rodrigues (Author) Other; Manuel Bañobre-López (Author) Other; Adrián M.T. Silva (Author) FEUP; Rui S. Ribeiro (Author) FEUP

Journal

Title: Pharmaceutics

Vol. 17

Pages: 477-477

ISSN: 1999-4923

Publisher: MDPI

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 0 Citations

Scopus - 0 Citations

Associated Projects

LA LSRE-LCM - Financiamento Plurianual 2020-2023 para a Unidade LA LSRE-LCM Laboratório de Processos de Separação e Reacção - Laboratório de Catálise e Materiais

ALiCE - ALiCE - Laboratório Associado em Engenharia Química

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-018-HQ4

DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics17040477

Abstract (EN): Background/Objectives: The development of effective therapies for brain disorders is highly correlated with the ability of drugs or nanosystems to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which has been limited. Recently, carbon dots (CDs) have been receiving attention to be used as BBB-crossing theranostic agents due to their inherent advantages, such as low size, excellent biocompatibility, high quantum yield (QY), tunable fluorescence, high drug loading, and relatively easy synthesis at low cost. The aim of this study was to design CDs with precisely controlled fluorescence properties for advanced bioimaging and an in-depth assessment of BBB permeability. Methods: CDs were synthesized using a microwave-assisted approach, optimized through microwaves' irradiation time, and employing citric acid, urea, and sodium fluoride as precursors. The optimized sample was labeled as NF-CD. Results: A comprehensive physicochemical, photoluminescence, and biological characterization revealed the ability of NF-CD to diffuse across a neuromimetic-BBB model, mainly due to their small size (average diameter of 4.0 +/- 1.1 nm), exhibiting excitation-dependent fluorescence in the blue and green wavelengths, high biocompatibility and QY, and exceptional photostability. Conclusions: Owing to the exceptional fluorescence characteristics and biological compatibility, NF-CD presents promising opportunities in theranostic applications, particularly in brain-targeted bioimaging, nanocarrier-based drug and immunotherapy delivery, early-stage diagnostics, and personalized medicine. NF-CD's ability to cross the BBB further underscores the relevance of pioneering nanomaterial-based strategies for neurological disorder diagnostics and precision-targeted therapeutic interventions. Overall, this research contributes to the broader field of nanotechnology-driven biomedical advancements, fostering innovations in neurological diagnostics and therapeutic delivery systems.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 13