Xiaoming Zhao1, Tianyang Qi1, Mingxi Yang2, Wenjing Zhang3, Chenfei Kong1, Miao Hao1, Yuqian Wang1, Hao Zhang2, Bai Yang2, Jie Yang4, Jinlan Jiang1. 1. Scientific Research Center, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130033, PR China. 2. State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun 130000, PR China. 3. Department of Anesthesiology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130033, PR China. 4. Department of Endocrinology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130033, PR China.
Abstract
Aim: Procaine-derived carbon dots, termed P-dots, expectedly offer both fluorescent biomarker function and anticancer activity. Materials & methods: P-dots were synthesized by condensing procaine, citric acid and ethylenediamine via hydrothermal synthesis and characterized by transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The cellular uptake behavior and the bioimaging performance of P-dots were assessed by confocal laser scanning microscopy. Their antitumor activity was evaluated using the CCK-8 assays and in vivo antitumor experiments, and the underlying mechanism was evaluated by flow cytometry and western blotting. Results: P-dots exhibited excellent luminescence properties suitable for bioimaging and considerable anticancer activity associated with caspase-3-related cell apoptosis. Conclusion: The synthesized procaine-derived carbon dots presented a dual function consisting of bioimaging and anticancer activity, which may enable their implementation as safe and effective clinical nanotherapeutics.
Aim: Procaine-derived carbon dots, termed P-dots, expectedly offer both fluorescent biomarker function and anticancer activity. Materials & methods: P-dots were synthesized by condensing procaine, citric acid and ethylenediamine via hydrothermal synthesis and characterized by transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The cellular uptake behavior and the bioimaging performance of P-dots were assessed by confocal laser scanning microscopy. Their antitumor activity was evaluated using the CCK-8 assays and in vivo antitumor experiments, and the underlying mechanism was evaluated by flow cytometry and western blotting. Results: P-dots exhibited excellent luminescence properties suitable for bioimaging and considerable anticancer activity associated with caspase-3-related cell apoptosis. Conclusion: The synthesized procaine-derived carbon dots presented a dual function consisting of bioimaging and anticancer activity, which may enable their implementation as safe and effective clinical nanotherapeutics.