Review of Pharmacologically Active Carbon Dots as Versatile Nanotherapeutics

Pharmacologically active carbon dots (PACDs) have recently gained significant attention as versatile nanotherapeutic platforms for various disease treatments. As zero-dimensional carbon-based nanomaterials, PACDs exhibit unique advantages including tailored bioactivities and functionalities, low toxicity, structural tunability, and high stability. This review introduces recent advances in the rational design of PACDs, with particular focus on synthesis methodologies, characterization approaches, pharmacokinetic characteristics, and customizable pharmacological activities. Moreover, the current therapeutic applications of PACDs across diverse diseases are summarized. Finally, the current challenges and future opportunities in the development and translation of PACDs are discussed. It is believed that the transformation of bioactive moieties into PACDs will be beneficial for the development of multifunctional nanodrugs with reinforced therapeutic efficacy.