journal article·2025-09

Green‐Synthesized Multifunctional Carbon Dots from a Natural Nucleoside for Synergistic Antibacterial and Anti‐Biofilm Therapies

Xuexiao Wang, Mengru Wang, Liyan Yang, Guanying Li, Li Xu

Small· Volume 21· Issue 38
Publisher page

Abstract

Abstract The pursuit of sustainable antimicrobial strategies to combat biofilm infections has become imperative in addressing the global crisis of antibiotic resistance. Here, a green‐chemistry paradigm is reported for fabricating multicolor‐emissive carbon dots (A‐CDs) through a solvent‐free, single‐step solvothermal process using adenosine. Under dual‐light irradiation, A‐CDs displayed enhanced antimicrobial activity against both bacteria and fungi through a triple‐modal mechanism. RNA sequencing reveals that A‐CDs combined with dual light irradiation disrupt bacterial metabolism, antioxidant systems, and cell wall integrity, effectively inhibiting bacterial proliferation and pathogenicity. A‐CDs significantly inhibit biofilm formation and eliminate mature biofilms by destroying key components of extracellular polymeric substances and downregulating the key biofilm markers under laser light exposure. Its antibiofilm efficacy is further validated in a S. aureus biofilm‐infected mouse model. Additionally, A‐CDs exhibit high biocompatibility and minimal potential for resistance development over 25 days, making them a promising sustainable alternative to conventional antibiotics. These findings suggest that A‐CDs can serve as an environmentally friendly, antibiotic‐free solution for treating biofilm‐related infections, offering broad clinical applications.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline

Research context

OpenAlex topics: Carbon and Quantum Dots Applications · Advanced Nanomaterials in Catalysis · Nanocluster Synthesis and Applications

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Department of Nuclear Medicine First School of Clinical Medicine The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University Guangzhou 510080 P. R. China

School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Guangdong Pharmaceutical University Zhongshan 528458 P. R. China

Department of Biophysics School of Basic Medical Sciences Health Science Centre Xi'an Jiaotong University Shaanxi 710061 P. R. China

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China

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