Oral Active Carbon Quantum Dots for Diabetes.

Background/objectives: Metformin (Met), an oral drug used to treat type II diabetes, is known to control blood glucose levels. Metformin carbon quantum dots (MetCQDs) were prepared to enhance the bioavailability and effectiveness of metformin. Several studies have shown that carbon quantum dots (CQDs) have attractive properties like small particle size, high penetrability, low cytotoxicity, and ease of synthesis. CQDs are made from a carbon source, namely, citric acid, and a heteroatom, such as nitrogen. The active molecule can be a carbon source or a heteroatom, as reported here.

Methods: This study aims to produce MetCQDs from an active molecule. MetCQDs were successfully produced by microwave-based production methods and characterized. The effect of the MetCQDs was tested in Wistar albino rats following a Streptozocin-induced diabetic model.

Results: The results show that the products have a particle size of 9.02 ± 0.04 nm, a zeta potential of -10.4 ± 0.214 mV, and a quantum yield of 15.1 ± 0.045%. Stability studies and spectrophotometric analyses were carried out and the effectiveness of MetCQDs evaluated in diabetic rats. The results show a significant reduction in blood sugar levels (34.1-51.1%) compared to the group receiving only metformin (37.1-55.3%) over a period of 30 to 360 min. Histopathological examinations of the liver tissue indicate improvement in the liver health indicators of the group treated with MetCQDs.

Conclusions: Based on these results, the products have potential therapeutic advantages in diabetes management through their increased efficacy and may have reduced side effects compared to the control group.