In vitro and in vivo toxicological evaluation of carbon quantum dots originating from Spinacia oleracea

Cuicui Fu, Xiaoyun Qin, Jin Zhang, Ting Zhang, Yeqing Song, Jiaqi Yang, Gang Wu, Dan Luo*, Nan Jiang, Floris J. Bikker

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to JournalArticleAcademicpeer-review

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.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere13422
Pages (from-to)1-11
Number of pages11
JournalHeliyon
Volume9
Issue number2
Early online date2 Feb 2023
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Feb 2023

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
Xiaoyun Qin was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China [21904120], Henan Provincial Science and Technology Research Project [212102310858].

Funding Information:
Nan Jiang was supported by Beijing Nova Program [Z201100006820080].

Funding Information:
Dan Luo was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China [ 51902344 ].

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023

Funding

Xiaoyun Qin was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China [21904120], Henan Provincial Science and Technology Research Project [212102310858]. Nan Jiang was supported by Beijing Nova Program [Z201100006820080]. Dan Luo was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China [ 51902344 ].

FundersFunder number
National Natural Science Foundation of China51902344, 21904120
National Natural Science Foundation of China
Beijing Nova ProgramZ201100006820080
Beijing Nova Program
Henan Provincial Science and Technology Research Project212102310858
Henan Provincial Science and Technology Research Project

    Keywords

    • Carbon quantum dots
    • Fluorescence
    • Food safety
    • Spinacia oleracea
    • Toxicity

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'In vitro and in vivo toxicological evaluation of carbon quantum dots originating from Spinacia oleracea'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this