Synthesis of fluorescent carbon dots using Daucus carota subsp sativus roots for mitomycin drug delivery

In this work, we report one-step eco-friendly method for the fabrication of fluorescent carbon dots (CDs) using Daucus carota subsp. sativus (carrot) roots as a carbon source. The as-fabricated CDs were characterized by spectroscopic and transmission electron microscopic techniques. The as-synthesized CDs acted as nano-vehicles for delivery of mitomycin drug. The as-synthesized CDs were effectively interacted with mitomycin drug via hydrogen bonding, leading to break hydrogen bonding at mildly acidic tumor extracellular microenvironment (pH similar to 6.80) and to release of mitomycin. Importantly, mitomycin drug loaded CDs exhibits high affinity towards cancer cell membrane because of their biocompatible and ultra-small size, which results the internalization of mitomycin-CDs by Bacillus subtilis cells with high degree. The in vitro experimental results revealed that mitomycin loaded CDs nanocarriers were effectively entered into the cells, suggesting that mitomycin-loaded CDs exhibited pH dependent mitomycin release behavior. Furthermore, the fluorescent CDs exhibited biocompatible nature towards MCF-7 cells. (C) 2018 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.