Synthesis, Characterization and Evaluation of Resveratrol-Loaded Functionalized Carbon Nanoparticles for Extending Yeast Lifespan

With the rapid aging of the global population, there is an increasing interest in the development of antiaging drugs. Resveratrol (Res), a natural polyphenolic compound, has attracted considerable attention due to its promising antiaging effects. However, the bioactivity of Res is significantly hindered by its low solubility in water and poor stability. Therefore, an effective strategy to address this challenge involves enhancing the properties of Res through the development of a novel drug delivery system aimed at improving its bioavailability. Carbon nanoparticles derived from natural sources (CNP) exhibit unique characteristics that are beneficial for this purpose, including size-dependent properties and ease of surface modification. In the present study, we synthesized protein-functionalized carbon nanoparticles (CB) with a diameter of less than 300 nm and exceptional aqueous dispersibility through a functionalization method. The successful coupling of Res to the CB resulted in a high drug loading capacity of up to 48.4% (CB-Res). Compared to free Res, the synthesized resveratrol carbon nanocomplexes (CB-Res) significantly improved both saturated solubility and release properties in vitro. Analysis of antiaging phenotypes in yeast cells indicated that CB-Res prolonged cellular lifespan by enhancing the levels of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and reducing the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). These findings suggest that CB have significant potential for delivering hydrophobic drugs, and that the CB-Res complexes show promise in antiaging treatment.