Nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots as a novel treatment for black fungal bone infections (Mucormycosis): in vitro and in vivo study

• Published in: Artificial cells, nanomedicine, and biotechnology Vol. 52; no. 1; pp. 131 - 144
• Main Authors: Belal, Amany, Almalki, Atiah H, Farghali, Ahmed A, Mahmoud, Rehab, Atta, R R, Allah, Abeer Enaiet, Hassan, Walid Hamdy, Lee, Sangmin, Kotp, Amna A, Essam, Doaa, Hassan, Ahmed H E, Ghoneim, Mohammed M, Abo El-Ela, Fatma I, Abdelwahab, Abdalla
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Taylor & Francis Group 01.12.2024
• Subjects: Animals; anti-fungal; Antifungal Agents - pharmacology; black fungi; bone disorders and disabilities; bone infections; Carbon - chemistry; Carbon - pharmacology; Carbon quantum dots; Mucor; Mucormycosis; Nitrogen - chemistry; Quantum Dots - chemistry; Rats; anti-fungal; black fungi; bone infections; treatment of infected bones; bone disorders and disabilities; Carbon quantum dots; Mucor
• ISSN: 2169-1401; 2169-141X
• DOI: 10.1080/21691401.2024.2318212

Most fungal bone and joint infections (arthritis) are caused by Mucormycosis ( ). These infections may be difficult to treat and may lead to chronic bone disorders and disabilities, thus the use of new antifungal materials in bone disorders is vital, particularly in immunocompromised individuals, such as those who have contracted coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Herein, we reported for the first time the preparation of nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots (N/CQDs) and a nitrogen-doped mesoporous carbon (N/MC) using a quick micro-wave preparation and hydrothermal approach. The structure and morphology were analysed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and surface area analyser. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), disc diffusion tests, minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) and antifungal inhibitory percentages were measured to investigate the antifungal activity of N/CQDs and N/MC nanostructures. In addition to the antifungal activity in rats as determined by wound induction and infection, pathogen count and histological studies were also performed. According to and testing, both N/CQDs with small size and N/MC with porous structure had a significant antifungal impact on a variety of bone-infecting bacteria, including Mucor infection. In conclusion, the present investigation demonstrates that functional N/CQDs and N/MC are effective antifungal agents against a range of microbial pathogenic bone disorders in immunocompromised individuals, with stronger and superior fungicidal activity for N/CQDs than N/MC and studies.