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Peng N, Wang J, Zhu H, Liu Z, Ren J, Li W, Wang Y. Protective effect of carbon dots as antioxidants on intestinal inflammation by regulating oxidative stress and gut microbiota in nematodes and mouse models. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 131:111871. [PMID: 38492339 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.111871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a recurrent chronic colitis disease with increasing incidence and prevalence year by year. The single efficacy and significant side effects of traditional IBD treatment drugs have promoted the flourishing development of new drugs. Inspired by many health benefits of carbon dots (CDs) based nanomedicine in biomedical applications, a metal-free carbon dots (CP-CDs) was synthesized from citric acid and polyethylene polyamine to treat colitis. Oxidative stress tests at the cellular and nematode levels demonstrated CP-CDs have good antioxidant effects, while the toxicity of CP-CDs to cells and nematodes is low. CP-CDs were further applied to dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis in mice models, and it was found that CP-CDs can reduce the disease activity index (DAI) score of colon tissue and restore the intestinal barrier. Further, the anti-colitis mechanisms of CP-CDs were explored, one of which is to regulate intestinal oxidative stress in inflammatory mice, further reducing the expression of inflammatory cytokines, and thus alleviating colitis. Notably, 16S rRNA sequence analysis showed that the abundance of beneficial bacteria (Ligilactobacillus and Enterorhabdus) in the intestinal tract increased, while that of harmful bacteria (unclassified_Clostridia_UCG_014) decreased after CP-CDs treatment, indicating that CP-CDs rebalancing the gut microbiota destroyed by DSS is another important mechanism. In short, these non-toxic carbon dots not only have the potential for multi-factor combined relief of colitis but also offer an alternative therapy medicine for patients suffering from IBD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nannan Peng
- School of Life Sciences, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, Anhui, China; Key Laboratory of Human Microenvironment and Precision Medicine of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, Anhui, China
| | - Jingmin Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, Anhui, China; Key Laboratory of Human Microenvironment and Precision Medicine of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, Anhui, China.
| | - Haimei Zhu
- School of Life Sciences, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, Anhui, China; Key Laboratory of Human Microenvironment and Precision Medicine of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, Anhui, China
| | - Ziyue Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, Anhui, China; Key Laboratory of Human Microenvironment and Precision Medicine of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, Anhui, China
| | - Jiayi Ren
- School of Life Sciences, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, Anhui, China; Key Laboratory of Human Microenvironment and Precision Medicine of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, Anhui, China
| | - Wenjing Li
- School of Life Sciences, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, Anhui, China; Key Laboratory of Human Microenvironment and Precision Medicine of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, Anhui, China
| | - Yongzhong Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, Anhui, China; Key Laboratory of Human Microenvironment and Precision Medicine of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, Anhui, China.
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Li X, Dai E, Li M, Kong R, Yuan J, Li T, Wang S, Zhang Y, Kong H, Zhao Y. Aurantii fructus immaturus carbonisata-derived carbon dots and their anti-depression effect. Front Mol Biosci 2024; 10:1334083. [PMID: 38259687 PMCID: PMC10801177 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1334083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Depression is a common illness worldwide. However, the current treatments available for depression only achieve relative success, often come with several side effects, and are associated with high costs. Aurantii Fructus Immaturus (AFI) has a rich historical legacy in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for its traditional use as a treatment for depression. In this research, our primary objective is to examine the potential antidepressant properties and the mechanisms at play behind a particular bioactive compound found in AFI, which is referred to as carbon dots derived from AFI Carbonisata (AFIC-CDs). Methods: Extracted and isolated the AFIC-CDs from the decoction of AFIC, then characterized the morphological structure and functional groups comprehensively. We then utilized two distinct models to investigate the anti-depressive properties of AFIC-CDs: the chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) model and the reserpine-induced pain-depression dyad model. In the CUMS model, we assessed immobile time and measured neurotransmitter levels in the mouse brain cortex. In the pain-depression dyad model, we evaluated immobile time, neurotransmitter levels, interleukin-1 (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels, and the expression of mRNA of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and tryptophan hydroxylase 2 (Tph2). Results: AFIC-CDs were found to have abundant chemical groups, and their diameter ranged from 2 to 10 nm. In the CUMS model, AFIC-CDs demonstrated significant effects. They reduced the immobile time of the mice and increased the levels of serotonin (5-HT), dopamine (DA), and norepinephrine (NE) in the mouse brain cortex. In the pain-depression dyad model, the AFIC-CDs groups decreased the immobile time, showed effect in increasing both the neurotransmitters' levels and the expression of mRNA of BDNF and Tph2, and decreased the IL-1β and TNF-α levels in mouse brain cortex. Taken together, these results strongly indicate that AFIC-CDs possess significant antidepressant activity. Conclusion: AFIC-CDs demonstrate promising therapeutic potential in the treatment of depression, suggesting that they may become a valuable candidate for depression management. This not only extends the understanding of the biological activity of carbon dots (CDs) but also opens up new possibilities for the development of effective depression treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaopeng Li
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Ertong Dai
- Qingdao Eighth People’s Hospital, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Menghan Li
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Ruolan Kong
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Jinye Yuan
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Tingjie Li
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Shuxian Wang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yue Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Hui Kong
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Zhao
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
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