Gastroprotective effects of Nelumbinis Rhizomatis Nodus-derived carbon dots on ethanol-induced gastric ulcers in rats.

Aim: To evaluate the gastroprotective effects of Nelumbinis Rhizomatis Nodus carbon dots (NRN-CDs) on ethanol-induced gastric ulcers in rats. Materials & methods: NRN-CDs synthesized and characterized by transmission electron microscopy, ultraviolet, fluorescence and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction and zeta potential analyzer. Their gastroprotective effects toward ethanol-induced gastric ulcers were evaluated in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Results: NRN-CDs showed an average diameter of 2.33 ± 0.42 nm and a lattice spacing of 0.29 nm. Pretreatment with NRN-CDs significantly decreased the ulcer index and attenuated the severity of gastric mucosal damage, indicating that NRN-CDs exerted potent gastric protective effect. Moreover, the gastroprotection effect was related to the regulation of oxidative stress and inflammatory factors. Conclusion: NRN-CDs could be developed as a potential drug for the treatment of gastric ulcers.

Protective Effects of Radix Sophorae Flavescentis Carbonisata-Based Carbon Dots Against Ethanol-Induced Acute Gastric Ulcer in Rats: Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Activities.

AIM: To explore the effects of Radix Sophorae Flavescentis carbonisata-based carbon dots (RSFC-CDs) on an ethanol-induced acute gastric ulcer rat model. METHODS: The structure, optical properties, functional groups and elemental composition of RSFC-CDs synthesized by one-step pyrolysis were characterized. The gastric protective effects of RSFC-CDs were evaluated and confirmed by applying a rat model of ethanol-induced acute gastric ulcers. The underlying mechanisms were investigated through the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signalling pathway and oxidative stress. RESULTS: RSFC-CDs with a diameter ranging from 2-3 nm mainly showed gastric protective effects by reducing the levels of NF-κB, tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) to inhibit ethanol-induced inflammation and oxidative stress. CONCLUSION: RSFC-CDs have anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects, making them promising for application in ethanol-induced gastric injury.

Carbon Dots from Paeoniae Radix Alba Carbonisata: Hepatoprotective Effect.

INTRODUCTION: The charcoal processed product of Paeoniae Radix Alba (PRA), PRA Carbonisata (PRAC), has long been used for its hepatoprotective effects. However, the material basis and mechanism of action of PRAC remain unclear. AIM: To explore the hepatoprotective effects of Paeoniae Radix Alba Carbonisata-derived carbon dots (PRAC-CDs). METHODS: PRAC-CDs were characterized using transmission electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, ultraviolet, fluorescence, Fourier transform infrared and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and high-performance liquid chromatography. The hepatoprotective effect of PRAC-CDs was evaluated and confirmed using the classic carbon tetrachloride acute liver injury model. RESULTS: PRAC-CDs averaged 1.0-2.4 nm in size and exhibited a quantum yield of 5.34% at a maximum excitation wavelength of 320 nm and emission at 411 nm. PRAC-CDs can reduce the ALT and AST levels of mice with carbon tetrachloride-induced acute liver injury and have a mitigating effect on the rise in TBA and TBIL. More interestingly, PRAC-CDs can significantly reduce MDA and increase SOD levels, demonstrating that PRAC-CDs can improve the body's ability to scavenge oxygen free radicals and inhibit free radical-induced liver cell lipid peroxidation, thereby preventing liver cell damage. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate the remarkable hepatoprotective effects of PRAC-CDs against carbon tetrachloride-induced acute liver injury, which provide new insights into potential biomedical and healthcare applications of CDs.

Effect of Lonicerae japonicae Flos Carbonisata-Derived Carbon Dots on Rat Models of Fever and Hypothermia Induced by Lipopolysaccharide.

INTRODUCTION: A correlation is established between the efficacy of Chinese herbal medicine and its charcoal drugs. Lonicerae japonicae Flos (LJF) is commonly used to treat fever, carbuncle, and tumors, among others. LJF Carbonisatas (LJFC) is preferred for detoxifying and relieving dysentery and its related symptoms. However, the mechanisms underlying the effects of LJFC remain unknown. AIM: The aim of this study was to explore the effects of LJFC-derived carbon dots (LJFC-CDs) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced fever and hypothermia rat models. METHODS: LJFC-CDs were characterized using transmission electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared, ultraviolet, fluorescence, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and high-performance liquid chromatography. The anti-inflammatory effects of LJFC-CDs were evaluated and confirmed using rat models of LPS-induced fever or hypothermia. RESULTS: The LJFC-CDs ranged from 1.0 to 10.0 nm in diameter, with a yield of 0.5%. LJFC-CDs alleviated LPS-induced inflammation, as demonstrated by the expression of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1ß, and IL-6 and the recovery of normal body temperature. CONCLUSION: LJFC-CDs may have an anti-inflammatory effect and a potential to alleviate fever and hypothermia caused by inflammation.