N-doped carbon nanodots@UiO-66-NH2 as novel nanoparticles for releasing of the bioactive drug, rosmarinic acid and fluorescence imaging

Background and the purpose of the studyThe purpose of the present research was to synthesize affordable nanoparticles for simultaneous drug release and cell fluorescence imaging to decrease the costs associated with conventional treatments.MethodsIn the present study, N-doped carbon nanodots@UiO-66-NH2 nanoparticles were simply synthesized in few steps and were used as a novel carrier for rosmarinic acid (RA). Nano particles were characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). UV/vis spectroscopy was used to study the release profile of RA drug from this novel carrier. Methylthiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay was to evaluate the effect of irradiation with a (UV) lamp. Confocal laser scanning microscopy was used for fluorescence imaging of cancer cells.ResultsResults of the MTT assay revealed that UiO-66-NH2@N-CNDs nanoparticles as a drug carrier for RA, have an excellent therapeutic effect due to their high quantum yield under irradiation of UV light. On the contrary, the observed therapeutic effect was decreased under ambient light.ConclusionsUiO-66-NH2@N-CNDs nanoparticles can be considered as promising vehicles for drug delivery due to their cost effectiveness in cancer treatment, based on the results of MTT assay. It should be emphasized that this nanocarrier can be as potential platforms for coincident drug delivery system and cell fluorescence imaging due to possessing green fluorescence and microporosity features.