Anti-inflammatory effects of curcumin carbon dots in an animal model of demyelination induced by lysolecithin

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune neurodegenerative disease that affects the central nervous system (CNS) characterized by myelin loss and axonal degeneration. Studies have shown that chronic inflammation followed by demyelination contributes to extensive myelin degradation. Thus far, despite disease-modifying treatments (DMTs) that delay disease progression, a definitive cure remains in demand due to the disease's uncertain etiology. Recent studies highlight carbon-based nanomaterials, particularly carbon dots (CDs), as promising drug carriers due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, hydrophilicity, biocompatibility and fluorescence properties. In this study, curcumin-derived carbon dots (CurP-CDs) were synthesized via a one-pot hydrothermal method, and their physicochemical properties, in vitro antioxidant effects, and in vivo anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects were evaluated in C57BL/6 male mice subjected to demyelination through local lysolecithin injection. Histological analyses showed reduced myelin loss and preserved myelin basic protein levels in animals treated with CurP-CDs compared to controls at 3 and 7 days post-lysolecithin injection. In addition, immunostaining revealed decreased astrocyte and microglia activation, the leading cells in neuroinflammation and gliosis, indicating reduced inflammation.