In vitro and in vivo toxicological evaluation of carbon quantum dots originating from Spinacia oleracea. Issue 2 (February 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fu, Cuicui; Qin, Xiaoyun; Zhang, Jin; Zhang, Ting; Song, Yeqing; Yang, Jiaqi; Wu, Gang; Luo, Dan; Jiang, Nan; Bikker, Floris J.
• Is Part Of: Heliyon. Volume 9:Issue 2(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-02
• Subjects: Food safety -- Spinacia oleracea -- Carbon quantum dots -- Toxicity -- Fluorescence; Research -- Periodicals; Medical sciences -- Periodicals; Natural history -- Periodicals; Social sciences -- Periodicals; Earth sciences -- Periodicals; Physical sciences -- Periodicals; 507.2
• DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e13422
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2405-8440

Abstract

Abstract: Food-derived carbon quantum dots (CQDs) can relatively easily be synthesized and chemically manipulated for a broad spectrum of biomedical applications. However, their toxicity may hinder their actual use. Here, Spinacia oleracea -derived CQDs i.e ., CQD-1 and CQD-2, were synthesized by means of different shredding methods and followed by a microwave-assisted hydrothermal approach. Subsequently, these CQDs were analyzed in vitro and in an in vivo mice model to test their biocompatibility and potential use as bioimaging agents and for activation of osteogenic differentiation. When comparing CQD-1 and CQD-2, it was found that CQD-1 exhibited 7.6 times higher photoluminescent (PL) emission intensity around 411 nm compared to CQD-2. Besides, it was found that the size distribution of CQD-1 was 2.05 ± 0.08 nm, compared with 2.14 ± 0.04 nm for CQD-2. Upon exposure to human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs) in vitro, CQD-1 was endocytosed into the cytoplasm and significantly increased the differentiation of hBMSCs up to 10 μg mL −1 after 7 and 14 days. Apparently, the presence of relatively low doses of CQD-1 showed virtually no toxic or histological effects in the major organs in vivo . In contrast, high doses of CQD-1 (1 mg mL -1 ) caused cell death in vitro ranging from 35% on day 1 to 80% on day 3 post-exposure, and activated the apoptotic machinery and increased lymphocyte aggregates in the liver tissue. In conclusion, S. oleracea -derived CQDs have the potential for biomedical applications in bioimaging and activation of stem cells osteogenic differentiation. Therefore, it is postulated that CQD-1 from S. oleracea remains potential prospective material at appropriate doses and specifications. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: QY value of S. oleracea- CQD-1 was 7.3%, compared with 1.0% for S. oleracea- CQD-2. CQD-1 were taken into cytoplasm and their LC50 is 400.6 μg mL −1 at 3 days. CQD-1 activated osteogenesis of stem cells at the concentration of 1 μg mL −1 . CQD-1 induced no histological changes at low doses in vivo. S. oleracea- CQDs are relatively safe and applicable for biomedical applications.