Introduction: The charcoal processed product of Armeniacae Semen Amarum  (ASA), ASA Carbonisata (ASAC), has long been used for its anti-inflammatory effects. However, the material basis and mechanism of action of ASAC remain unclear.
Aim: To explore the anti-inflammatory effects of Armeniacae Semen Amarum  Carbonisata-derived carbon dots (ASAC-CDs).
Methods: The physicochemical properties of ASAC-CDs including morphology, optical properties, functional groups were characterized by a series of methods, mainly including electron microscopy, optical technology and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The anti-inflammatory effect of ASAC-CDs was evaluated and confirmed using acute lung injury (ALI) induced by lipopolysaccharides (LPS) in rats.
Results: The ASAC-CDs ranged from 1.5 to 5.5 nm in diameter, with a quantum yield of 3.17%. ASAC-CDs alleviated LPS-induced inflammation, as demonstrated by reducing the levels of IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α and increasing the contents of IL-10 in rat serum. More interestingly, ASAC-CDs reduce the content of MDA and MPO and increase the activity of SOD and the content of GSH, indicating the antioxidant activity of ASAC-CDs.
Conclusion: These results demonstrate the remarkable anti-inflammatory effects of ASAC-CDs against ALI induced by LPS, which provide an important basis for the application of ASAC-CDs in clinical anti-pneumonia, and lay an experimental foundation for the research and development of novel nano-drugs.
Keywords: Armeniacae Semen Amarum  Carbonisata, carbon dots, lipopolysaccharide, anti-inflammatory