Riboflavin-based carbon dots with high singlet oxygen generation for photodynamic therapy

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Abstract
Photodynamic therapy, as an effective treatment for superficial tumors, has attracted more and more attention. The development of safe, biocompatible and in vivo photosensitive materials is helpful to promote photodynamic therapy. Here we report green fluorescent carbon quantum dots prepared from a natural vitamin, riboflavin (VB2), as a photosensitizer. The VB2-based carbon dots have excellent water solubility and biocompatibility, and their singlet oxygen generation ability is much stronger than that of riboflavin itself. Through endocytosis, the carbon dots can easily enter the cells and show bright green fluorescence. In vivo experiments show that after photodynamic therapy the carbon dots can significantly inhibit the growth of tumors, and will not have toxic and side effects on other organs.
Funding Information
  • National Natural Science Foundation of China (21803075)
  • National Key Research and Development Program of China (2020YFC2004500)
  • Jiangsu Provincial Key Research and Development Program (BE2019683)
  • Chinese Academy of Sciences (2020SYHZ0041)
  • Youth Innovation Promotion Association of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (2017374)

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