Biological Evaluation of Graphene Quantum Dots and Nitrogen-Doped Graphene Quantum Dots as Neurotrophic Agents

Over time, developments in nano-biomedical research have led to the creation of a number of systems to cure serious illnesses. Tandem use of nano-theragnostics such as diagnostic and therapeutic approaches tailored to the individual disease treatment is crucial for further development in the field of biomedical advancements. Graphene has garnered attention in the recent times as a potential nanomaterial for tissue engineering and regenerative medicines owing to its biocompatibility among the several other unique properties it possesses. The zero-dimensional graphene quantum dots (GQDs) and their nitrogen-doped variant, nitrogen-doped GQDs (N-GQDs), have good biocompatibility, and optical and physicochemical properties. GQDs have been extensively researched owing to several factors such as their size, surface charge, and interactions with other molecules found in biological media. This work briefly elucidates the potential of electroactive GQDs as well as N-GQDs as neurotrophic agents. In vitro investigations employing the N2A cell line were used to evaluate the effectiveness of GQDs and N-GQDs as neurotrophic agents, wherein basic investigations such as SRB assay and neurite outgrowth assay were performed. The results inferred from immunohistochemistry followed by confocal imaging studies as well as quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) studies corroborated those obtained from neurite outgrowth assay. We have also conducted a preliminary investigation of the pattern of gene expression for neurotrophic and gliotrophic growth factors using ex vivo neuronal and mixed glial cultures taken from the brains of postnatal day 2 mice pups. Overall, the studies indicated that GQDs and N-GQDs hold prospect as a framework for further development of neuroactive compounds for relevant central nervous system (CNS) purposes.