Luminous blue carbon quantum dots employing Anisomeles indica (catmint) induce apoptotic signaling pathway in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells

Herein, luminous blue carbon quantum dots (CDs) employing Anisomeles indica (Catmint) were reported with imaging, self‐targeting, and therapeutic effects on triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC, MDA‐MB‐231) cells. The salient features of CDs generated from catmint are as follows: i) optical studies confirm CDs with excitation‐dependent emission; ii) high‐throughput characterization authenticates the formation of CDs with near‐spherical shape with diameter ranging between 5 and 15 nm; iii) CDs induce cytotoxicity (3.22 ± 0.64 μg/ml) in triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC, MDA‐MB‐231) cells; iv) fluorescence microscopy demonstrates that CDs promote apoptosis by increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) and decreasing mitochondrial membrane potential; v) CDs significantly up‐regulate pro‐apoptotic gene expression levels such as caspases‐8/9/3. Finally, our work demonstrates that catmint‐derived CDs are prospective nanotheranostics that augment cancer targeting and imaging. Anisomeles indica (Catmint) derived luminescent blue carbon quantum dots (CDs) were reported for the first time. The notable characteristics of catmint‐derived CDs encompass excitation‐dependent emission. Catmint‐derived CDs offer imaging and therapeutic properties against triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC, MDA‐MB‐231) cells.