Easy Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Carbon Dots Using the One-Pot Green Method for Cancer Therapy

In this study, hyaluronic acid (HA) and carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS) were used for the synthesis of novel targeted nanocarrier carbon dots (CD(C-H)) with photo-luminescence using a one-step hydrothermal method. Doxorubicin (DOX), a common chemotherapeutic agent, was loaded with the CD(C-H) through electrostatic interactions to form DOX–CD(C-H) complexes as a targeted antitumor drug delivery system. The synthesized CD(C-H) show a particle size of approximately 6 nm and a high fluorescence quantum yield of 11.64%. The physical and chemical character properties of CD(C-H) and DOX–CD(C-H) complexes were investigated using various techniques. The results show that CD(C-H) have stable luminescent properties and exhibit excellent water solubility. The in vitro release study showed that DOX–CD(C-H) exhibited pH-dependent release for 24 h. Confocal laser scanning microscopy was applied to investigate the potential of CD(C-H) for cell imaging and the cellular uptake of DOX–CD(C-H) in different cells (NIH-3T3 and 4T1 cells), and the results confirmed the target cell imaging and cellular uptake of DOX–CD(C-H) by specifically binding the CD(44) receptors on the surface of tumor cells. The r MTT results suggest that the DOX–CD(C-H) complex may induce apoptosis in 4T1 cells, reducing the cytotoxicity of free DOX-induced apoptosis. In vivo antitumor experiments of DOX–CD(C-H) exhibited enhanced tumor cancer therapy. CD(C-H) have potential applications in bioimaging and antitumor drug delivery.