Green Synthesis of pH-Sensitive Carboxymethyl Cellulose/Agarose/Carbon Quantum Dots Nanocarriers for Quercetin Delivery to A549 Lung Cancer Using an Emulsification Method

A novel pH-sensitive nanocarrier containing carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), agarose (AG), and carbon quantum dots (CQDs) was created using water/oil/water (W/O/W) emulsification to administer quercetin (QC) medications. CQDs nanosheets, alongside exceptional biocompatibility, considerable water solubility, tiny dimensions, excellent conductivity, simple surface customization, and chemical and thermal stability, were produced by incorporating a CMC/AG hydrogel into a one-step pyrolysis method using riboflavin as the foundation. The crystallographic structure of the nanocarrier and interactions among its various components were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The spherical morphology was visible in scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images, which validated the impregnation of CQDs into the CMC/AG matrix. The addition of CQDs further enhanced the QC loading and entrapment efficiency. The release kinetics of drug-loaded CMC/AG/CQDs nanocomposites were studied at pH = 5.4 or 7.4. The results revealed a well-controlled pH-sensitive release profile at pH 5.4. MTT analyses were used to examine in vitro cytotoxicity and cell apoptosis. CMC/AG/CQD@QC induced the highest apoptosis rate in A549 lung cancer cells, suggesting remarkable nanocomposite efficacy in eliminating cancer cells. The CQDs-coated CMC/AG hydrogel holds significant potential for pH-sensitive controlled drug release.