Antioxidant quantum dots for spinal cord injuries: A review on advancing neuroprotection and regeneration in neurological disorders

Abstract Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a serious damage to the spinal cord that can lead to life-long disability. It is classified by initial trauma and subsequent neuronal degeneration, marked by permanent impairment of brain function across the whole brain. This condition results in a progressive deterioration of cognitive function in patients and is frequently associated with psychological symptoms such as body’s movement (paralysis and autonomic dysreflexia), imposing a significant burden on both patients and their families. Nanomaterials such as antioxidant quantum dots (QDs) are an innovative approach, providing dual functionality in theranostics – concurrent therapeutic and diagnostic capacities in the biomedical domain, which can be utilized for disease prevention and therapy. This review thoroughly examines the potential of QDs to transform SCI care due to their inherent antioxidant characteristics, nanoscale accuracy, and capacity to reduce damage caused by reactive oxygen species. It underscores their function in safeguarding brain tissue, augmenting the viability and development of transplanted stem cells, and facilitating axonal regeneration. Moreover, their versatile use in imaging and real-time assessment of treatment results highlights their transformational potential. This study is significant as it connects developing nanotechnology with regenerative medicine for SCI, providing a comprehensive overview of present advances, problems, and future prospects. It examines pivotal concerns such QD toxicity, biocompatibility, and regulatory challenges, while investigating methods for enhancing formulations and incorporating QDs with combination medicines. This review offers a pathway for enhancing QD applications in neuroprotection and regeneration, with the intention of fostering multidisciplinary research and expediting clinical translation, so facilitating new therapies for SCI that enhance patient outcomes and quality of life.