Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Carbon nanodots have recently attracted attention as fluorescence imaging probes and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents in diagnostic and therapeutic applications due to their unique optical properties. In this work we report the synthesis of biocompatible Mn (II)-doped carbon nanodots and their performance as fluorescence and MRI contrast agents in in vitro assays. The thermal decomposition of a Diphenylhydantoin-Mn(II) complex assured the incorporation of manganese (II) ions in the carbon dots. The obtained materials display a favorable spin density for MRI applications. The synthesized Mn(II)-CNDs also displayed remarkable photoluminescence, with a bright blue emission and good response in in vitro fluorescence imaging. Cytotoxicity investigations revealed good cell viability on malignant melanoma cell lines in a large concentration range. A cytotoxic effect was observed for MG-63 osteosarcoma and breast adenocarcinoma cell lines. The in vitro MRI assays demonstrated the potentialities of the Mn(II)-CNDs as T2 contrast agents at low dosages, with relaxivity values higher than those of commercial ones. Due to the simplicity of their synthetic pathway and their low cytotoxicity, the prepared Mn(II)-CNDs are potential alternatives to currently used contrast agents based on gadolinium complexes.
DOI: 10.3390/ijms26136293
Institutions: Gheorghe Asachi Technical University of Iași, Institutul de Chimie Macromoleculară Petru Poni, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, Université d'Orléans, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Conditions Extrêmes et Matériaux Haute Température et Irradiation
Language: English
Subfield: Materials Chemistry
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,499
OpenAlex ID: W4411846118