Bioactive Carbon Dots from Clove Residue: Synthesis, Characterization, and Osteogenic Properties

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Nanomaterials offer promise for bone regeneration but sustainable, cost-effective options are needed.
• Critical bone defects require advanced therapeutic strategies.
• Investigating novel nanomaterials for bone repair is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the osteogenic potential of clove-derived carbon dots (C-CDs) for bone regeneration.
• To explore C-CDs as a sustainable and cost-effective material for bone defect treatment.
• To validate the efficacy of C-CDs in vitro and in vivo bone regeneration models.

Main Methods:

• Green hydrothermal synthesis of C-CDs (~10 nm).
• In vitro evaluation using human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hBM-MSCs).
• In vivo validation via ectopic bone formation and calvarial defect models.

Main Results:

• C-CDs exhibited uniform morphology and efficient cellular uptake.
• In vitro studies confirmed osteogenic differentiation via upregulation of key genes (RUNX2, ALP, COL1A1, BMP-2) through Wnt/β-catenin/GSK3β and BMP pathways.
• In vivo models demonstrated C-CDs effectively promoted bone regeneration.

Conclusions:

• Clove-derived carbon dots (C-CDs) are promising candidates for bone regeneration therapy.
• C-CDs present a sustainable alternative to existing bone regeneration treatments.
• Further development of C-CDs is warranted for regenerative medicine applications.