Novel chitosan - graphene quantum dots composite for therapeutic delivery and tracking through enzymatic stimuli response

The designing of highly efficient and biocompatible nanocomposites with multifunctional delivery and tracking characteristics is noteworthy for clinical and therapeutic applications. Herein, we report the proof-of-concept for the delivery of anti-glaucoma drug, latanoprost (LP) under an enzymatic stimulus, lysozyme (Lyz) with novel chitosan (CS) - graphene quantum dots (GQD) nanocomposite via reverse switching photoluminescence (PL) phenomenon. The LP caged CS-GQDs nanocomposite was well characterized through extensive spectral, morphological, band-gap, particle size, and zeta potential studies along with cytotoxicity assays. The regaining of PL not only confirmed LP delivery, but also facilitated intercellular tracking through in vitro bio-imaging against human corneal epithelial (HCE) cells. The AO/EB staining and biocompatibility assays further proved excellent cell viability of >80%. The successfully delivered LP protected HCE cells from oxidative injury induced by 800 μM hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). These findings justify further utility of novel CS-GQDs caged drug nanocomposite for preclinical investigations.