Advances in polyphenol-based carbon dots for biomedical engineering applications

Polyphenol-based carbon dots (PCDs) are a promising class of nanomaterials that have been increasingly studied for their potential applications in biomedical engineering. PCDs possess inherent therapeutic effects due to the polyphenolic nature of their composition, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Functionalization of PCDs with biologically active molecules can enhance these therapeutic effects, making them useful in drug delivery applications. Moreover, the electron transfer of phenolic groups allows PCDs to easily convert light to heat or fluorescence, making them versatile agents for photothermal therapy and multimodal imaging. PCDs can also be used in biosensors, as their surface functional groups can interact with analytes such as metal ions, antibodies, and enzymes, resulting in changes in fluorescence emission. Recent studies have demonstrated the potential of PCDs in a wide range of applications, including drug delivery, tissue regeneration, and bioimaging. Despite their promising potential, further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms of action and optimize the synthesis and functionalization of PCDs. Nonetheless, the increasing interest in PCDs as a new class of nanomaterials for biomedical applications indicates that they would play an important role in the development of new therapeutic and imaging strategies in the future.