Constructing a highly efficient multifunctional carbon quantum dot platform for the treatment of infectious wounds.

Abstract

Antibiotic resistance poses a huge threat to public health, which has increased the difficulty and transmission of disease treatment, as well as the burden and cost of medical institutions. In response to the current problems and challenges in inflammation control and treatment of bacterial infected wounds, inspired by antibacterial mechanisms based on active elements such as N, S, Cu and tannic acid (TA), a highly efficient multifunctional carbon quantum dot platform was proposed in this study and constructed through their special assembly in a solvothermal reaction system for the treatment of infected wounds. By introducing active elements such as N, S and Cu, this carbon quantum dot platform is endowed with antibacterial properties, while also achieving good angiogenesis promoting performance through the use of ion Cu. Meanwhile, the good antioxidant activity of TA (one of the precursors used) enables this platform to have better immunomodulatory performance in vivo. The research results on the treatment of bacterial infection models indicate that the multifunctional carbon quantum dots obtained can accelerate the healing of infected wounds by inhibiting bacterial infection, regulating immunoreaction, accelerating collagen deposition and promoting angiogenesis. This multifunctional carbon quantum dot platform shows good clinical application prospects in treating bacterial infected wounds. Additionally, the fluorescence characteristics of such carbon dots can be expected to realize visual therapy in the future.