Carbon dots are a carbonaceous nanomaterial that were discovered accidentally and are now drawing significant attention as a new quantum-sized fluorescent nanoparticle. Carbon dots are biocompatible, non-toxic, photostable, and easily functionalized with good photoluminescence and water solubility. Due to these unique properties, they are used broadly in live cell imaging, catalysis, electronics, biosensing, power, targeted drug delivery, and other biomedical applications. Here, we review the recent development of carbon dots in nanomedicine from their use in drug carriers to imaging agents to multifunctional theranostic systems. Finally, we discuss the challenges and views on next-generation carbon dot-based theranostics for clinical applications.

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For cancer therapy, the usefulness of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MPSNPs) has been widely discussed, likely due to its inorganic nature and excellent structural features. The MPSNPs‐based chemotherapeutics have been promisingly delivered to their target sites that help to minimize side effects and improve therapeutic effectiveness. A wide array of studies have been conducted to functionalize drug‐loaded MPSNPs using targeting ligands and stimuli‐sensitive substances. In addition, anticancer drugs have been precisely delivered to their target sites using MPSNPs, which respond to multi‐stimuli. Furthermore, MPSNPs have been extensively tested for their safety and compatibility. The toxicity level of MPSNPs is substantially lower as compared to that of colloidal silica; however, in oxidative stress, they exhibit cytotoxic features. The biocompatibility of MPSNPs can be improved by modifying their surfaces. This article describes the production procedures, functionalization, and applications of biocompatible MPSNPs in drug delivery.

Traditional anti-tumor drugs still have some shortcomings, such as low solubility, poor selectivity and poor bioavailability, which decrease anti-tumor efficacy and aggravate systemic toxicity and side effects. In this paper,...

Multiple drug resistance (MDR) in bacterial infections is developed with the abuse of antibiotics, posing a severe threat to global health. Tedizolid phosphate (TR-701) is an efficient prodrug of tedizolid (TR-700) against gram-positive bacteria, including methicillin-sensitive staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) and methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Herein, a novel drug delivery system: Red blood cell membrane (RBCM) coated TR-701-loaded polylactic acid-glycolic acid copolymer (PLGA) nanoparticles (RBCM-PLGA-TR-701NPs, RPTR-701Ns) was proposed. The RPTR-701Ns possessed a double-layer core-shell structure with 192.50 ± 5.85 nm in size, an average encapsulation efficiency of 36.63% and a 48 h-sustained release in vitro. Superior bio-compatibility was confirmed with red blood cells (RBCs) and HEK 293 cells. Due to the RBCM coating, RPTR-701Ns on one hand significantly reduced phagocytosis by RAW 264.7 cells as compared to PTR-701Ns, showing an immune escape effect. On the other hand, RPTR-701Ns had an advanced exotoxins neutralization ability, which helped reduce the damage of MRSA exotoxins to RBCs by 17.13%. Furthermore, excellent in vivo bacteria elimination and promoted wound healing were observed of RPTR-701Ns with a MRSA-infected mice model without causing toxicity. In summary, the novel delivery system provides a synergistic antibacterial treatment of both sustained release and bacterial toxins absorption, facilitating the incorporation of TR-701 into modern nanotechnology.