Yusheng Zhao, Yucong Li, Dawei Li, Huageng Yuan, Chuanan Shen

Senior Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, the Fourth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100048, People’s Republic of China

Correspondence: Chuanan Shen, Email shenchuanan@301hospital.com.cn

Abstract: Chinese herbal medicines and their extracts will produce nano-components of charcoal drugs after high-temperature carbonization, and the process is similar to that of carbon dots (CDs). Chinese herbal medicine-derived CDs (CHM-CDs) are a new carbon-based nanomaterial with a particle size of less than 10 nm discovered in charcoal drugs in recent years. CHM-CDs possess a range of beneficial traits, such as minimal toxicity, strong water solubility, superior biocompatibility, and remarkable photoluminescence capabilities. Additionally, they exhibit multifaceted pharmacological activity in the absence of drug loading. Over the past half-decade, numerous publications have presented evidence suggesting that CHM-CDs exhibit a wide array of pharmacological effects. These primarily encompass hemostatic capabilities, neuroprotection, anti-infective, antitumor, immunomodulatory effects and hypoglycemic activity. Notably, they have been associated with circulatory system, digestive system, nervous system, immune system, endocrine system, urinary system and skeletal system. This article systematically reviews the modern pharmacological effects and potential mechanisms of CHM-CDs, offering insights into current challenges and proposing directions for future advancements. As such, it serves as a vital reference for the clinical application of CHM-CDs.

Keywords: Chinese herbal medicines, carbon dots, pharmacological effects, mechanisms