Antioxidant and anti-aging carbon quantum dots using tannic acid

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Biochemistry
• Dermatology

Background:

• External factors like UV radiation and stress induce collagenase, elastase, and tyrosinase overexpression.
• This leads to skin aging signs such as wrinkles and freckles due to loss of elasticity and pigmentation changes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop novel carbon quantum dots (CQDs) with antioxidant and anti-aging properties.
• To utilize tannic acid as a carbon source for CQD synthesis via microwave-assisted pyrolysis.

Main Methods:

• Synthesized tannic acid-derived CQDs (T-CQDs) using microwave-assisted pyrolysis.
• Evaluated T-CQDs' fluorescence, free radical scavenging ability, and inhibitory effects on collagenase, elastase, and tyrosinase.
• Assessed T-CQDs' efficacy in suppressing UV-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) and their cytotoxicity.

Main Results:

• T-CQDs exhibited bright blue fluorescence (QY = 28.2 ± 4.0%) with emission at 430 nm.
• Demonstrated significant free radical scavenging (82.8 ± 4.3%) and potent inhibition of collagenase (77.6 ± 4.8%), elastase (52.6 ± 1.0%), and tyrosinase (44.2 ± 1.3%).
• T-CQDs outperformed positive controls (tannic acid, L-ascorbic acid, quercetin) and effectively reduced UV-induced ROS by 30% with high cell viability (99.7 ± 0.8%).

Conclusions:

• T-CQDs possess superior antioxidant and anti-aging properties compared to existing agents.
• Low cytotoxicity and high efficacy make T-CQDs suitable for cosmetic and nanomedicine applications.
• These findings highlight T-CQDs as promising novel anti-aging materials.