Fluorescence-Guided Chitosan and Eugenol-Based Carbon Dots for Comprehensive Infection Control and In Vitro...

Background/Objectives: The transformation of multifunctioning nanomaterials, incorporating antimicrobial activity and regenerative incompatibility, is becoming even more significant in the modern dental therapeutic context. Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) is primarily linked to dental caries and pulp inflammation and requires new strategies that would be efficient at controlling the infection and promoting tissue repair. The objectives of the present research were to synthesize and critique the use of chitosan-eugenol carbon dots (CECDs) as a versatile nanoplatform in the field of dentistry to implement antimicrobial and regenerative dentistry. Methods: CECDs synthesized from biocompatible chitosan and eugenol were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX), evaluated from S. mutans inhibition via MIC/MBC, and assessed from cytocompatibility using 3T3-L1 fibroblast viability, morphology, and migration assays. Results: The resultant CECDs had a spherical morphology and a size of 5 ± 2 nm. The EDX analysis established the existence of carbon, nitrogen and oxygen labeling successful incorporation of heteroatoms, as well as surface functionalization. CECDs exhibited greater antibacterial effects against S. mutans through a concentration-dependent approach with MIC and MBC of 125 and 250 µg/mL respectively. Cytotoxicity assays indicated that the cells were viable, their morphology was intact, and that the cells moved more vigorously, which confirmed excellent biocompatibility. Conclusions: The synergistic combination of chitosan and eugenol into the carbon dot structure produced CECDs that had strong biomarker along with antibacterial activity and desirable cytocompatibility. These results indicate that CECDs are an attractive multifunctional nanoplatform in the treatment of oral infections and help with wound healing.