Synthesis Biomass Carbon Dots Derived From Carboxymethyl Chitosan and Epigallocatechin Gallate Both Antimicrobial and Antioxidation via a One-Step Hydrothermal Method.

Abstract

The resistance and biocompatibility of traditional antibiotics is a potential challenge for bacterial infections. Bacterial infections can produce oxidative stress, which can hamper cell migration and repair. In recent years, nanomaterials have become a viable alternative therapy for treating bacterial infections, with carbon dots (CDs) receiving popularity due to their superior characteristics. As a result, in this experiment, carboxymethyl chitosan (CMC) and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) were used as carbon sources, and multifunctional biomass green CDs with good biocompatibility, high antibacterial activity, potent antioxidant capacity, and the ability to promote cell migration and repair were synthesized by a one-step hydrothermal method. The cytotoxicity assay findings demonstrated that CDs had high biocompatibility and promoted cell growth at the concentration of 100 μg mL^-1. The results of the antibacterial experiment showed that CDs had a strong antibacterial effect upon Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. At the same time, CDs can eliminate ROS and protect cells from oxidative stress damage, which improves the cell's capacity to migrate and repair. The biomass green CDs provide a way to develop multifunctional carbon-based nanomaterials and provide a certain potential value for the promotion of wound healing and the clinical transformation of nanomaterials in the future.