Protective Effects of Radix Sophorae Flavescentis Carbonisata-Based Carbon Dots Against Ethanol-Induced Acute Gastric Ulcer in Rats: Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Activities

Aim: To explore the effects of Radix Sophorae Flavescentis carbonisata-based carbon dots (RSFC-CDs) on an ethanol-induced acute gastric ulcer rat model. Methods: The structure, optical properties, functional groups and elemental composition of RSFC-CDs synthesized by one-step pyrolysis were characterized. The gastric protective effects of RSFC-CDs were evaluated and confirmed by applying a rat model of ethanol-induced acute gastric ulcers. The underlying mechanisms were investigated through the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B) signalling pathway and oxidative stress. Results: RSFC-CDs with a diameter ranging from 2-3 nm mainly showed gastric protective effects by reducing the levels of NF-kappa B, tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin (IL)-6, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) to inhibit ethanol-induced inflammation and oxidative stress. Conclusion: RSFC-CDs have anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects, making them promising for application in ethanol-induced gastric injury.

Automated summary

RSFC-CDs with diameters ranging from 2-3 nm primarily exert gastric protective effects by reducing the levels of NF-kappa B, TNF-alpha, IL-6, SOD, CAT, GSH-Px, GSH, MDA, and iNOS to inhibit ethanol-induced inflammation and oxidative stress, demonstrating their potential for application in ethanol-induced gastric injury.