Gelatin-derived carbon quantum dots mitigate herbicide-induced neurotoxic effects in vitro and in vivo

The herbicide and viologen, N, N'-dimethyl-4,4'-bipyridinium dichloride (Paraquat) is known to be toxic to neuronal cells by a multifactorial process involving an elevation in the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), the triggering of amyloid-protein aggregation and their accumulation, collectively leading to neuronal dyshomeostasis. We demonstrate that green-chemistry-synthesized sustainable gelatin-derived carbon quantum dots (CQDs) mitigate paraquat-induced neumtoxic outcomes and resultant compromise in organismal mortality. Gelatin-derived CQDs were found to possess antioxidant properties and ameliorated ROS elevation in paraquatinsulted neumblastoma-derived SHSY-5Y cells, protecting them from herbicide-induced cell death. These CQDs also increased lifespan in paraquat-compromised Caenorhabditis elegans and herbicide-mediated dopamine neuron ablation. Collectively, the data underscore the ability of this sustainably synthesized, environmentally friendly biocompatible nanomaterial to protect cell lines and organisms against neurotoxic outcomes. The study findings strategically position this relatively novel nanoscopic carbon quantum framework for further testing in vertebrate trials of neumtoxic insult.

Automated summary

Green-chemistry synthesized gelatin-derived carbon quantum dots (CQDs) can mitigate the neurotoxic effects of paraquat and extend organismal lifespan. The study shows that this sustainable nanomaterial can protect cell lines and organisms against neurotoxic outcomes.