Protection of lead-induced cytotoxicity using paramagnetic nickel–insulin quantum clusters

Pb-toxicity is associated with inflammation which leads to delay in wound healing. Pb(2+) utilizes calcium ion channels to enter the cell. Therefore, to achieve effective healing in a Pb-poisoned system, capturing Pb(2+) from the circulatory system would be an effective approach without hampering the activity of the calcium ion channel. In this work insulin–nickel fluorescent quantum clusters (INiQCs) have been synthesized and used for the specific detection of Pb(2+) ions in vitro and in cell-free systems. INiQCs (0.09 μM) can detect Pb(2+) concentrations as low as 10 pM effectively in a cell-free system using the fluorescence turn-off method. In vitro INiQCs (0.45 μM) can detect Pb(2+) concentrations as low as 1 μM. INiQCs also promote wound healing which can easily be monitored using the bright fluorescence of INiQCs. INiQCs also help to overcome the wound recovery inhibitory effect of Pb(2+)in vitro using lead nitrate. This work helps to generate effective biocompatible therapeutics for wound recovery in Pb(2+) poisoned individuals.