Work

A study on the antioxidant, cytotoxicity, and coagulation potential of carbon quantum dots derived from the leaves of Lagerstroemia speciosa

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The green synthesis of carbon quantum dots (CQDs) from natural sources offers a sustainable approach in nanotechnology. In this study, CQDs were synthesized from Lagerstroemia speciosa leaves (LS-CQDs) and extensively characterized for their optical, structural, and biological properties. LS-CQDs exhibited UV-Vis absorption peaks at 247 and 351 nm, blue fluorescence, a mean particle size of 3.7 nm with a 0.22 nm d-spacing, and surface functional groups including -OH, -COOH, and -CH 3 . They demonstrated strong antioxidant activity, with a DPPH scavenging IC 50 of 66.34 μg mL -1 , and a hydrogen peroxide scavenging IC 50 of 319.48 μg mL -1 , highlighting their free radical neutralization ability. Cytotoxicity assessments confirmed LS-CQDs to be non-genotoxic, with minimal hemolysis (<2% at 2–200 μg mL -1 ), demonstrating excellent biocompatibility. Coagulation assays revealed a concentration-dependent anticoagulant effect, significantly prolonging PT (47 s) and aPTT (49 s) at 200 μg mL -1 , suggesting potential therapeutic applications in hypercoagulability associated with obesity-related cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). The dual-function antioxidant and anticoagulant properties of LS-CQDs underscore their potential as therapeutic agents for managing oxidative stress and coagulation disorders. This study highlights the promise of plant-derived nanomaterials in biomedical applications, warranting further exploration for clinical and commercial translation.

Source: Hybrid Advances

DOI: 10.1016/j.hybadv.2025.100430