Carbon dots from purple sweet potato as a promising anti-inflammatory biomaterial for alleviating the LPS-induced inflammation in macrophages

J Nanobiotechnology. 2025 May 30;23(1):397. doi: 10.1186/s12951-025-03494-9.

Abstract

This study synthesizes carbon dots derived from crude extracts of purple sweet potato (CPP-CDs) and evaluates its anti-inflammatory effects in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) -induced acute inflammation model. Characterization revealed that CPP-CDs possess a uniform spherical structure and excellent photoluminescent properties. In vitro, CPP-CDs significantly inhibited the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α), reduced the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), suppressed pyroptosis, and facilitated the polarization of macrophages from the M1 phenotype to the M2 phenotype. In vivo, CPP-CDs significantly improved the survival rates of LPS-treated mice, mitigated tissue damage, and suppressed the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Mechanistic studies indicated that CPP-CDs exert anti-inflammatory effects through the inhibition of the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway and the modulation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. Additionally, CPP-CDs exhibited excellent biocompatibility, with no significant toxicity observed in mice. This study provides strong evidence supporting the application of CPP-CDs as a novel anti-inflammatory material, highlighting their potential for acute inflammation treatment and expanding the possibilities for the development of carbon-dot-based anti-inflammatory therapies.

Keywords: Anti-inflammatory material; Carbon dots; NLRP3 inflammasome; Purple sweet potato; Reactive oxygen species; TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents* / chemistry
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents* / pharmacology
  • Biocompatible Materials* / chemistry
  • Biocompatible Materials* / pharmacology
  • Carbon* / chemistry
  • Carbon* / pharmacology
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Inflammasomes / metabolism
  • Inflammation* / chemically induced
  • Inflammation* / drug therapy
  • Ipomoea batatas* / chemistry
  • Lipopolysaccharides / toxicity
  • Macrophages* / drug effects
  • Macrophages* / metabolism
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein / metabolism
  • Quantum Dots* / chemistry
  • RAW 264.7 Cells
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4 / metabolism

Substances

  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Carbon
  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein
  • Cytokines
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4
  • Inflammasomes
  • NF-kappa B