Carbon dots derived from Ligusticum Chuanxiong mitigate cardiac injury by disrupting the harmful oxidative stress-apoptosis cycle

BACKGROUND: Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI) represents a significant complication following myocardial infarction surgery, for which preventive strategies remain limited. The primary pathological characteristics of MIRI include oxidative stress and apoptosis. RESULTS: This study presents the synthesis of carbon dots derived from Ligusticum Chuanxiong (LC-CDs) through the application of the hydrothermal method. The LC-CDs show strong scavenging abilities for free radicals, effectively reducing oxidative stress and preventing apoptosis, which helps combat MIRI. The findings demonstrate that LC-CDs can effectively neutralize excessive ROS within cells, thereby alleviating oxidative stress, restoring mitochondrial function, and preventing DNA damage. Concurrently, LC-CDs suppress the polarization of M1-type macrophages and reduce the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Following the in situ administration of LC-CDs into the hearts of MIRI-model rats, a significant reduction in the necrotic area of the myocardium was observed, alongside the restoration of cardiac function, with no adverse reactions reported. Moreover, similar to the pharmacological effects of Ligusticum chuanxiong, LC-CDs can also inhibit apoptosis by protecting mitochondria and suppressing the expression of apoptotic proteins (Caspase3, Caspase9, and Bax). CONCLUSIONS: The intervention strategy employing LC-CDs, which targets oxidative stress and apoptosis in MIRI, holds promise as a potential model for the clinical treatment of MIRI.