Gastroprotective effects of Nelumbinis Rhizomatis Nodus carbonisata-derived carbon dots on ethanol-induced gastric ulcers in rats

Abstract BackgroundGastric ulcers is a common gastrointestinal digestive system disease. Considering the frequency of human gastric ulcers, the side effects and cost of some existing synthetic drugs, the use of natural products is an important choice for many people. The aim of present study was to explore gastroprotective effects of nelumbinis rhizomatis nodus carbonisata carbon dots (NRNC-CDs) on ethanol-induced gastric ulcers in rats.MethodsThe NRNC-CDs were synthesized via high temperature calcinations treatment at 350 ℃ for 1 h were characterized by various spectroscopic and electron microscopy techniques for their structural, morphological, and optical properties. In vitro cytotoxicity of CDs for the human gastric epithelial cells line (GES-1 cells) was assessed by the CCK-8 assay. Furthermore, the study evaluated gastroprotective effects of NRNC-CDs on ethanol-induced gastric ulcers in rats, followed by a preliminary study on the possible mechanisms of gastroprotection.ResultesNRNC-CDs with a quantum yield of 1.38% have an average diameter of 2.89±0.82nm and the lattice spacing of 0.29 nm , and exerted low toxicity to GES-1 cells by CCK-8 test. In vivo experiments showed that NRNC-CDs remarkably reduced gastric mucosal damage and significantly increased the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). In addition, NRNC-CDs also significantly inhibited tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a) and pro-inflammatory interleukin-6 (IL-6) level in gastric tissues. Histological findings demonstrated that NRNC-CDs exhibited a protective effect against tissue alterations in response to the ethanol-induced ulcer.ConclussionThe potent gastroprotective effect of NRNC-CDs were thus attributed to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. This discovery provides guidance for further research the effect of CDs in gastrointestinal digestive diseases.