Green synthesis of corn stalk-derived carbon dots for enhanced wound healing

Skin injuries are common health concerns, with excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and inflammation in the wound area hindering the healing process. This underscores the urgent need for wound dressings with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, inspired by the concept of waste valorization, carbon dots (CDs) were synthesized from corn stalks via a hydrothermal method. The results demonstrated that the CDs exhibited in vitro antioxidant activity and promoted the proliferation and migration of oxidative-damage fibroblasts. In vivo experiments further revealed that CDs reduced early-stage ROS accumulation, downregulated inflammation, and accelerated acute wound healing by promoting angiogenesis. Moreover, CDs effectively blocked the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-mediated nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway by promoting the dephosphorylation of IκBα and inhibiting the nuclear translocation of the p65 protein, thereby reducing the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. This study integrates agricultural waste utilization with biomedical material development, providing a dual solution to both the environmental issues associated with straw burning and the advancement of novel medical nanomaterials. It offers a strategic approach to agricultural pollution management and medical material innovation, strongly promoting the synergy between green chemistry and sustainable medicine.