g-C3N4-based complexes for treating in vitro oral cancer cells

Area of Science:

• Materials Science: Synthesis and characterization of novel nanomaterials.
• Biomedical Engineering: Photodynamic therapy and cancer treatment applications.
• Chemistry: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and evaluation.

Background:

• Oral cancer poses a significant global health challenge, necessitating innovative therapeutic strategies.
• Photodynamic therapy (PDT) offers a targeted approach to cancer treatment, utilizing photosensitizers and light activation.
• Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) quantum dots (QDs) are emerging nanomaterials with potential biomedical applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and evaluate novel g-C₃N₄ quantum dot (QD) complexes for their efficacy in destroying oral cancer cells.
• To assess the in vitro performance of these complexes under hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and laser irradiation conditions.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of gCN complexes using polymers, melamine precursor, metal, and photosensitizers.
• In vitro cell viability assays on oral cancer and normal cells.
• Evaluation of ROS production via methylene blue (MB) degradation and RNO-ID assays.
• Measurement of oxygen generation under H₂O₂ and laser irradiation.

Main Results:

• The PGC-Ce6 complex demonstrated significant destruction of over 83% of in vitro oral cancer cells.
• High viability (approximately 88%) of normal cells was observed when not exposed to laser irradiation.
• PGC-Ce6 effectively degraded MB solution and showed decreased RNO-ID absorbance, indicating ROS generation.

Conclusions:

• The synthesized g-C₃N₄ complex, PGC-Ce6, exhibits potent in vitro anticancer activity against oral cancer cells.
• PGC-Ce6 shows considerable promise as a photosensitizer for laser-activated photodynamic therapy in clinical settings.
• Further research is warranted to fully explore the therapeutic potential of PGC-Ce6 for tumor treatment.