%0 Journal Article
%T Superoxide Dismutase-Mimetic Polyphenol-Based Carbon Dots for Multimodal Bioimaging and Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis.
%A Han J
%A Choi S
%A Hong J
%A Gang D
%A Lee S
%A Shin K
%A Ko J
%A Kim JU
%A Hwang NS
%A An YH
%A Gu M
%A Kim SH
%J ACS Appl Mater Interfaces
%V 16
%N 19
%D 2024 May 15
%M 38686704
%F 10.383
%R 10.1021/acsami.4c02634
%X Polyphenols have been investigated for their potential to mitigate inflammation in the context of atopic dermatitis (AD). In this study, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG)-based carbon dots (EGCG@CDs) were developed to enhance transdermal penetration, reduce inflammation, recapitulate superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and provide antimicrobial effects for AD treatment. The water-soluble EGCG@CDs in a few nanometers size exhibit a negative zeta potential, making them suitable for effective transdermal penetration. The fluorescence properties, including an upconversion effect, make EGCG@CDs suitable imaging probes for both in vitro and in vivo applications. By mimicking the SOD enzyme, EGCG@CDs scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS) and actively produce hydrogen peroxide through a highly catalytic capability toward the oxygen reduction reaction, resulting in the inhibition of bacterial growth. The enhanced antioxidant properties, high charge mobility, and various functional groups of EGCG@CDs prove effective in reducing intracellular ROS in an in vitro AD model. In the mouse AD model, EGCG@CDs incorporated into a hydrogel actively penetrated the epidermal layer, leading to ROS scavenging, reduced mast cell activation, and histological recovery of skin barriers. This research represents the versatile potential of EGCG@CDs in addressing AD and advancing tissue engineering.