The Rhei radix rhizoma -based carbon dots ameliorates dextran sodium sulphate-induced ulcerative colitis in mice

Abstract In this study, the protective effect of Rhei radix et rhizoma-based carbon dots (RRRC-CDs) on acute ulcerative colitis were investigated. The green high-temperature carbonization method is used to prepare novel RRRC-CDs. The morphology, structure, functional groups, and other information of RRR-CDs were captured by transmission electron microscope, high-resolution electron microscope, ultraviolet, fluorescence, Fourier transform infrared, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction, and through pharmacodynamic experiments to studied the protective effect of RRRC-CDs on ulcerative colitis. The results demonstrated that the RRRC-CDs were almost spherical in diameter ranging from 1.374nm - 4.533nm, and composed of mainly C, N, and O. The RRRC-CDs inhibited DSS-induced inflammatory response and oxidative stress injury mainly by down-regulating TNF-α, IL-6, MPO, MDA and increasing the levels of IL-10, CAT, GSH, and SOD. RRRC-CDs showed a significant protective effect on ulcerative colitis. This study results indicated that RRRC-CDs have potential clinical application in ulcerative colitis.