Synthesis and Characterization of Polyvinylpyrrolidone-Modified ZnO Quantum Dots and Their In Vitro Photodynamic Tumor Suppressive Action

Abstract

Despite the numerous available treatments for cancer, many patients succumb to side effects and reoccurrence. Zinc oxide (ZnO) quantum dots (QDs) are inexpensive inorganic nanomaterials with potential applications in photodynamic therapy. To verify the photoluminescence of ZnO QDs and determine their inhibitory effect on tumors, we synthesized and characterized ZnO QDs modified with polyvinylpyrrolidone. The photoluminescent properties and reactive oxygen species levels of these ZnO/PVP QDs were also measured. Finally, in vitro and in vivo experiments were performed to test their photodynamic therapeutic effects in SW480 cancer cells and female nude mice. Our results indicate that the ZnO QDs had good photoluminescence and exerted an obvious inhibitory effect on SW480 tumor cells. These findings illustrate the potential applications of ZnO QDs in the fields of photoluminescence and photodynamic therapy.

The Applications of Nanomaterials in Phototherapy Against Cancer

“…These substances will lead to the integrity of cell membrane and the organelles with important physiological functions like the lysosomes and mitochondria, which finally leads to the cell apoptosis. In this way, the ZnO QDs can have a good effect in the tumor treatments [14].…”

Effects of Gd3+ substitution on the structure, photoluminescence, scintillation, and thermometric features of Pr3+:Lu2Zr2O7 phosphors

“…The high sensitivity to the X-ray dose rate, encouraging radiation resistance, and chemical resistance may make the present phosphor applicable in X-ray detectors or X-ray imaging. Furthermore, the 1.5 mol%Pr 3+ :(Lu 0.75 Gd 0.25 ) 2 Zr 2 O 7 phosphor is capable of converting high-energy X-ray photons into UV photons that can be absorbed by many photosensitizers (like TiO 2 26,27 and ZnO 28,29 ) for reactive oxygen species production, enabling their potential application in deep-seated photodynamic therapy.…”

High reactive oxygen species produced from fluorescence carbon dots for anticancer and photodynamic therapies: A review

“…The fluorescence occurred from the energy transfer device of quantum dots to the silicon Pc4 PS to produce ROS for PDT as reported in earlier research. [ 92,93 ] Song et al developed polyvinylpyrrolidone‐modified zinc oxide QDs with high PL and a strong inhibition for tumor cells [ 94 ] and also new cationic porphyrin PDT medicines for cancer using GQDs. [ 95 ]…”