Nanoparticle platform comprising lipid-tailed pH-sensitive carbon dots with minimal drug loss

Herein, we synthesized a lipid-mimicking organic material (PCD_FA) that can surpass the efficacy of lipid-based nanoparticles and demonstrated its potential as a delivery vehicle for various hydrophilic drugs. PCD_FA is a conjugate of pH-sensitive carbon dots (PCDs) and fatty acids (FAs) and has potential applications in several fields owing to various combinations of carbon dots (CDs) and FAs. Similar to phospholipids, PCD-FAs have hydrophilic heads and hydrophobic tails that allow them to self-form nanoparticles (Coposomes) in the aqueous phase. Coposomes can easily combine various hydrophilic head and hydrophobic tail combinations, and several drugs can be encapsulated, or drug release patterns can be controlled according to each property. We analyzed the differences in size, drug loading efficiency, and drug release patterns of Coposomes depending on the type of FAs and characteristics of the encapsulated drugs. Additionally, cell entry and intracellular drug release mechanisms of the Coposomes were identified. The applicability of Coposomes as drug delivery carriers for tumor treatment has been demonstrated in comparison with that of liposomes formulation in tumor-bearing mouse models. Consequently, this study presents possibilities for the synthesis and application of various amphiphilic lipid-mimicking organic materials via the combination of CDs and FAs with various functions. [Display omitted] •Production of drug delivery carrier using fatty acid conjugated carbon dot.•A Platform technology depending on the type of carbon dot and fatty acid.•Increased anti-cancer treatment effect through minimal drug leakage.•In vivo live tracking through fluorescence characteristics of carbon dots.