Biodegradable Photonic Melanoidin for Theranostic Applications

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Light-absorbing nanoparticles are crucial for localized heat generation in tissues for medical applications.
• Existing plasmonic and carbon-based nanoparticles face challenges regarding clearance, cytotoxicity, and long-term safety.
• There is a need for safe, efficient, and biodegradable alternatives for photothermal applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate melanoidins derived from glucose and amino acids as novel light-absorbing nanoparticles for biomedical photonic applications.
• To evaluate the safety, efficiency, and controllability of melanoidins for various in vivo applications.
• To demonstrate the potential of melanoidins as theranostic nanomedicines.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of melanoidins from glucose and amino acids.
• Assessment of light-to-heat conversion efficiency.
• Evaluation of biocompatibility, biodegradability, nonmutagenicity, and renal clearance in vivo.
• Demonstration of applications including photoacoustic mapping, photoacoustic tracking, photothermal cancer therapy, and photothermal lipolysis.

Main Results:

• GRAS melanoidins exhibit high light-to-heat conversion efficiency.
• Melanoidins demonstrate excellent biocompatibility, biodegradability, nonmutagenicity, and efficient renal clearance.
• Biodegradation rate and renal clearance are controllable through design.
• Successful in vivo applications in photoacoustic imaging and photothermal therapies were achieved.

Conclusions:

• Biodegradable melanoidins are a safe, cost-effective, and highly efficient alternative to existing nanoparticles for photonic applications.
• Melanoidins offer tunable properties for controlled clearance and biodegradation.
• Melanoidins show significant potential for diverse theranostic nanomedicine applications.