Naproxen release aspect from boron-doped carbon nanodots as a bifunctional agent in cancer therapy

In this present study, boron–carbon nanodots were synthesized by the hydrothermal method. Boron–carbon nanodots were prepared by varying the concentration ratios of boronic acid and citric acid: 1 : 25, 2 : 1, and 25 : 1, respectively. The precursors were then poured into a Teflon autoclave and heated at 240° for 4 h. This research aims to synthesise and evaluate the potential of boron–carbon nanodots as a bioimaging agent and naproxen delivery carrier. An X-ray diffractogram showed that the boron–carbon nanodots were amorphous. To analyse the functional groups, FTIR and XPS analysis was carried out. Spectrofluorometric analysis (λ(ex) 320 nm) showed that the formulation of boron–carbon nanodots 2 : 1 (BCD 2 : 1) has the most ideal fluorescent properties at λ(em) 453 nm, whereas UV-vis analysis showed λ(max) at 223 nm, with a quantum yield of 52.29%. A confocal laser scanning micrograph and toxicity test (MTT assays) showed that boron–carbon nanodots delivered naproxen efficiently with loading amount and loading efficiency of naproxen 28% and 65%, respectively. Furthermore, it induced an anticancer effect in HeLa cells. This result indicated that boron–carbon nanodots can be used as a bioimaging agent and naproxen delivery carrier.