Potential Nanomedicine Applications of Multifunctional Carbon Nanoparticles Developed Using Green Technology

Carbon nanonmaterial development through green technology is gaining pace owing to their biocompatibility, inertness, modifiability, and photoluminescence. These smart nanomaterials are much sought after and have great potential in bioimaging and drug delivery. In this study, we focused on the preparation of carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) using edible yogurt drink (lassi) by microwave irradiation. The physicochemical properties of synthesized CNPs were extensively studied. Results demonstrated that CNPs had average size of 12.58 ± 0.60 nm with a zeta potential of −24.62 ± 0.15 mV. The cytocompatibility of CNPs assessed using L929 and rat primary vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) demonstrated enhanced viability after 48 h of incubation. At lower concentrations of CNP, intracellular calcium levels remain unaffected in VSMCs. Doxorubicin (Dox) was used as model molecule to evaluate sythesized CNPs for their efficacy in drug delivery. Dox-loaded CNPs (Dox-CNPs) showed pH-dependent (pH 4.6 and 7.4) drug release. Toxicity of Dox-CNPs assessed with MCF-7 and SAS cell lines indicated IC₅₀ values at 0.25 μg/mL. Cell cycle arrest, elevation of reactive oxygen species, and loss of inner mitochondrial membrane potential corroborated efficient delivery of Dox to the nuclei with enhanced activity. The successful delivery of drug into the nuclei and its subsequent pH-dependent release project CNPs as promising drug delivery vehicles for nanomedicine