Volume 22, Issue 1 (7-2025)
ASWTR 2025, 22(1): 2-9 |
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Rostami M, Sadeghi E, Zahedifar M. Fabrication, structure, and optical properties of graphene quantum dots and investigation of their possibility of use as a photosensitizer in cancer treatment using photodynamic therapy. ASWTR 2025; 22 (1) :2-9
URL: http://icml.ir/article-1-677-en.html
URL: http://icml.ir/article-1-677-en.html
Abstract: (330 Views)
This study aims to synthesize nitrogen-doped graphene quantum dot (N-GQD) nanostructures through a simple and cost-effective method capable of generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) under light irradiation, making them promising photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy (PDT).
Introduction:
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an emerging approach to enhance the effectiveness of medical treatments, particularly in oncology. Various materials have been proposed as photosensitizers for PDT. This study investigates the potential of nitrogen-doped graphene quantum dots (N-GQDs) as photosensitizers for cancer therapy using photodynamic mechanisms.
Materials and Methods:
Nitrogen-doped graphene quantum dots were synthesized via a hydrothermal method using inexpensive precursors (citric acid and urea). The generation of reactive oxygen species, including singlet oxygen (^1O₂) and hydroxyl radicals (•OH), under visible light irradiation was evaluated. Anthracene and methylene blue were employed as chemical probes to detect singlet oxygen and hydroxyl radicals, respectively.
Results:
The results demonstrated that the reduction in the absorption intensity of methylene blue and anthracene in the presence of N-GQDs under visible light irradiation was significantly greater than that observed with undoped graphene quantum dots. This indicates enhanced production of singlet oxygen and hydroxyl radicals due to nitrogen doping. In contrast, no measurable decrease in the absorption intensity of anthracene and methylene blue was observed in the absence of light irradiation, suggesting that N-GQDs do not generate ROS in the dark — a property desirable for safe medical applications.
Conclusion:
Nitrogen-doped graphene quantum dots, capable of efficient reactive oxygen species generation under light while remaining non-toxic in the dark, represent promising photosensitizers for cancer treatment via photodynamic therapy.
Introduction:
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an emerging approach to enhance the effectiveness of medical treatments, particularly in oncology. Various materials have been proposed as photosensitizers for PDT. This study investigates the potential of nitrogen-doped graphene quantum dots (N-GQDs) as photosensitizers for cancer therapy using photodynamic mechanisms.
Materials and Methods:
Nitrogen-doped graphene quantum dots were synthesized via a hydrothermal method using inexpensive precursors (citric acid and urea). The generation of reactive oxygen species, including singlet oxygen (^1O₂) and hydroxyl radicals (•OH), under visible light irradiation was evaluated. Anthracene and methylene blue were employed as chemical probes to detect singlet oxygen and hydroxyl radicals, respectively.
Results:
The results demonstrated that the reduction in the absorption intensity of methylene blue and anthracene in the presence of N-GQDs under visible light irradiation was significantly greater than that observed with undoped graphene quantum dots. This indicates enhanced production of singlet oxygen and hydroxyl radicals due to nitrogen doping. In contrast, no measurable decrease in the absorption intensity of anthracene and methylene blue was observed in the absence of light irradiation, suggesting that N-GQDs do not generate ROS in the dark — a property desirable for safe medical applications.
Conclusion:
Nitrogen-doped graphene quantum dots, capable of efficient reactive oxygen species generation under light while remaining non-toxic in the dark, represent promising photosensitizers for cancer treatment via photodynamic therapy.
Keywords: Photodynamic therapy, Nanostructures, Reactive oxygen species, Photoluminescence, Graphene quantum dots, Photosensitizer
Educational: Research |
Subject:
General
Received: 2025/04/28 | Accepted: 2025/05/31 | Published: 2025/06/22
Received: 2025/04/28 | Accepted: 2025/05/31 | Published: 2025/06/22
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