Development of a novel nanoformulation based on aloe vera-derived carbon quantum dot and chromium-doped alumina nanoparticle (Al2O3:Cr@Cdot NPs): evaluating the anticancer and antimicrobial activities of nanoparticles in photodynamic therapy

• Published in: Cancer nanotechnology Vol. 15; no. 1; pp. 26 - 19
• Main Authors: Karimi, Merat, Homayoonfal, Mina, Zahedifar, Mostafa, Ostadian, Amirreza, Adibi, Reyhaneh, Mohammadzadeh, Bahareh, Raisi, Arash, Ravaei, Fatemeh, Rashki, Somaye, Khakbraghi, Mahsa, Hamblin, Michael, Kheirkhah, Zahra, Sadeghi, Ehsan, Nejati, Majid, Mirzaei, Hamed
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Vienna Springer Vienna 01-12-2024; Springer Nature B.V; BMC
• Subjects: Aloe; Aluminum oxide; Antibacterial activity; Anticancer properties; Antiinfectives and antibacterials; Bacteria; Biochemistry; Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering; Cancer; Cancer Research; Carbon dots; Carbon quantum dot; Chemistry and Materials Science; Chromium; Chromium-doped Al2O3 nanoparticles; Cytotoxicity; Drug resistance; Electron microscopy; Exposure; Fourier transforms; Heterostructures; Hydroxyl radical; Hydroxyl radicals; Infrared spectroscopy; Materials Science; Microscopy; Nanoparticles; Nanotechnology; Photodynamic therapy; Quantum dots; R&D; Research & development; Review; Singlet oxygen; Sol-gel processes; Spectrum analysis; Synergistic effect; Toxicity; nanoparticles; Photodynamic therapy; Singlet oxygen; Carbon quantum dot; Cancer therapy; Antibacterial activity; Chromium-doped Al; Hydroxyl radical; O
• ISSN: 1868-6958; 1868-6966
• DOI: 10.1186/s12645-024-00260-8

The objective of this study was to synthesize a novel antibacterial and anticancer nanoformulation using aloe vera-derived carbon quantum dots (Cdot) and chromium-doped alumina nanoparticles (Al
2
O
3
:Cr/Cdot NPs) via a sol–gel method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed crystalline NPs with a size range of 10–12 nm, while energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) revealed their elemental composition without impurities. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) indicated strong interactions between Cdot and Al
2
O
3
:Cr NPs, forming a robust heterostructure. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images provided visual confirmation of monodisperse, spherical NPs, ensuring uniformity for further applications. Evaluation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) demonstrated superior generation of singlet oxygen and hydroxyl radicals by Al
2
O
3
:Cr/Cdot NPs, essential for photodynamic therapy. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) tests revealed potent antibacterial activity against drug-resistant bacteria, inhibiting biofilm formation by 89% and 95% for MRSA and
P. aeruginosa
PAO1, respectively. Furthermore, the anticancer activity of Al
2
O
3
:Cr/Cdot NPs was assessed using C26 cells, demonstrating enhanced cytotoxicity upon UVA exposure. The NPs exhibited an inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 20 μg/mL without UVA exposure, decreasing to 10 μg/mL with UVA exposure, highlighting the synergistic effect of UVA light in enhancing cytotoxicity. Overall, these findings underscore the significant potential of Al
2
O
3
:Cr/Cdot NPs as multifunctional agents for addressing drug-resistant bacteria and advancing cancer therapy, offering promising avenues for nanomedicine research and development.