In this work, we have synthesized Carbon Dots (CDs) through a single-step microwave-assisted method. The synthesized colloidal CDs have narrow size distribution and show excellent optical properties as well as biocompatibility. Folic acid was selected as a carbon precursor to introduce intrinsic folate receptor targeting capabilities of CDs and to achieve high water dispersibility. CDs were characterized by a series of spectroscopic and microscopic techniques followed by anticancer drug Doxorubicin (Dox) conjugation for potential drug release applications. In near-physiological conditions, the drug loading and the release of Dox were investigated in detail. CDs-Dox conjugates are sensitive toward pH and showed efficient drug release as monitored kinetically by fluorescence. Further, live-cell fluorescence imaging using confocal microscopy establishes the pH-responsiveness of the drug release mechanism and cellular uptake mediated by folate receptors. We believe that such biocompatible nanocomposite will be beneficial in cancer treatment.

Carbon Dots (CDs) are a class of carbon-based nanostructure known as zero-dimensional nanomaterial and have great potential in the field of targeted chemotherapy. CDs have been extensively explored for bioimaging, sensing, and therapy due to their high quantum yield, low cytotoxicity, high water solubility, good photostability, and tunable excitation wavelength-dependent emission properties. CDs conjugated with various anticancer drugs such as Doxorubicin (DOX), Epirubicin and Temozolomide, Protoporphyrin IX (PpIX), 5-Fluorouracil, Curcumin, Gemcitabine, Methotrexate (MTX), Oxaliplatin, and Cisplatin are explored for chemotherapy applications. These drugs are conjugated with CDs via covalent bond formation such as amide, ester, and hydrazine or with the help of noncovalent electrostatic attraction from opposite charges and hydrogen-bonding interactions. The release of these drug molecules can be controlled with the help of the acidic pH or via highly reactive and abundant small molecular species present in a cancerous environment compared to normal physiological conditions. The CDs-drug conjugate can be specifically released in a targeted manner with the help of a specific substrate attached at the surface and their interaction with overexpressed cell surface receptors. In this review, we demonstrate the application of CDs-drug conjugate toward drug delivery systems for oncology applications.

In the present research work, a carbon-dots (CDs)-based self-assembled drug delivery system for the delivery of doxorubicin in cancer cells was developed. CDs with a narrow size distribution were synthesized...

Objective: Nasal delivery provides a route of entry of drug to the brain that circumvents the obstacle for blood-brain barrier allowing direct drug delivery to the central nervous system via olfactory neurons. The objective of work was to prepare solid lipid nanoparticles of antimalarial drug artemether for brain delivery through olfactory delivery route for treatment of cerebral malaria.Methods: Artemether containing solid lipid nanoparticles were prepared with soya lecithin and poloxamer 407 with a hot homogenization method followed by solvent injection technique. The prepared solid lipid nanoparticles were characterized by their shape, particle size, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency total drug content and drug release study.Results: These solid lipid nanoparticles were observed spherical in shape in scanning electron microscopy, the optimized size was found to be 211.6 nm (Polydispersity Index PI<0.415), with −27mV zeta potential value. The maximum % yield of the formulation was found to be found 49%. The maximum entrapment efficiency was 82% (w/w), and optimized formulation showed 98.07±1.521% drug release form formulation. In vivo studied were conducted on wistar rats after administration of artemether containing solid lipid nanoparticles intranasally and compared with plain artemether solution administered orally. The results of optimized formulation showed the value of biological half-life (T1/2) was 4.95 h, maximum serum concentration Cmax was 644.60ng/ml, time for drug to reach peak plasma concentration Tmax was 1 h volume of distribution (Vd) was 2.7l/kg, body clearance (Cl) was 0.37 lh/kg and Area under curve [AUC]0∞ was 3970.5 nghr/ml for formulation.Conclusion: The results revealed that the brain: plasma concentration ratio was higher after intranasal administration of solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) of artemether than the oral route. In conclusion, the intranasal administration of lipid nanoparticles of artemether could provide complete protection against cerebral malaria.