Abstract:
Carbon quantum dots derived from mango leaves exhibited red fluorescence. These negatively charged particles underwent coating with the positively charged lipid molecule N-[1-(2,3-dioleyloxy)propyl]-N,N,N-trimethylammonium chloride (DOTMA). However, the bioconjugate displayed reduced uptake compared to the standalone mQDs in cancer cells (SUM 159A), and increased uptake in case of non-cancerous (RPE-1) cells. Upon in vitro testing, the bioconjugate demonstrated a mitigating effect on the individual toxicity of both DOTMA and mQDs in SUM-159 (cancerous cells). Conversely, it exhibited a proliferative effect on RPE-1 (normal cells).