Application of graphene quantum dots for simultaneous fluorescence imaging and tumor-targeted drug delivery

Graphenic Materials for Biomedical Applications

“…Contrary to free DOX, substantial cytotoxicity to human glioma U251 cells was exhibited by the investigated conjugates within a broad range of DOX concentrations. The results of the cellular uptake of DOX-RGD-GRQDs show that not only DOX, but also some GRQDs penetrated into cell nuclei after 16 h of incubation [143]. Ginsenoside Rh2 (triterpene glycoside saponin), a new anti-tumor natural agent, extracted from ginsenosides, has been shown to inhibit the growth of some types of tumor cells, including pancreatic, breast, gastric, and prostate cancer, as well as hepatocellular and skin squamous cell carcinomas.…”

Green synthesis, biomedical and biotechnological applications of carbon and graphene quantum dots. A review

“…Findings form the cellular uptake of these conjugates demonstrated that doxorubicin and some graphene quantum dots have entered into cell nuclei after incubation (~ 16 h). These combinational enhancements with suitable nuclear delivery enhanced the doxorubicin cytotoxicity effects, noticeably (Dong et al 2018). Additionally, the prepared folic acid-conjugated graphene quantum dots could be applied for loading of doxorubicin, real-time evaluating of cellular uptake and the consequent drug release.…”

“…Preparation of drug delivery systems based on graphene quantum dots can find diverse applications in bio-and nanomedicine (Dong et al 2018) and multifunctional graphene quantum dots can be harnessed for targeted cellular imaging, which is useful for cancer therapy (Wang et al 2014b). Drug delivery systems based on arginine-glycine-aspartic acidconjugated graphene quantum dots were applied in load of doxorubicin (an antitumor drug) for targeted imaging and drug delivery.…”

“…Indeed the characteristic stable fluorescence of graphene quantum dots permitted the real-time analyses of the cellular uptake from the produced nanoassembly and the following doxorubicin drug release. The doxorubicin releasement showed significant pH dependence and implied hydrogen-bonding interaction between graphene quantum dots and doxorubicin; the graphene quantum dots can be served as pH-sensitive drug carriers (Dong et al 2018). Compared to free doxorubicin, the prepared conjugates revealed remarkable cytotoxicity effects to U251 glioma cells within diverse range of doxorubicin concentrations.…”

The Synergistic Effect of Pyridinic Nitrogen and Graphitic Nitrogen of Nitrogen-Doped Graphene Quantum Dots for Enhanced TiO2 Nanocomposites’ Photocatalytic Performance

“…GQDs are widely used in various fields due to their excellent physical and chemical properties. They are used in photovoltaic devices [25], catalysis [26][27][28][29][30], drug delivery [31], and cell imaging [32][33][34][35]. GQDs are environmentally friendly materials with strong anti-chemical corrosion and anti-ultraviolet (UV) irradiation capabilities.…”