Oxidized low density lipoprotein (
Ox-LDL) is a known
biomarker of
inflammation and
atherosclerosis, a leading cause of death worldwide. As a new class of nanomaterials,
carbon nanodots (CNDs) are widely used in bioimaging, diagnostics, and drug delivery. However, there is no current report on how these CNDs affect the cardiovascular system, particularly their potential in mediating endothelial inflammatory dysfunction. This study examined effects of CNDs on
Ox-LDL-mediated endothelial dysfunction. CNDs significantly inhibited
Ox-LDL-mediated adhesion of monocytes to human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1), in human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1). CNDs significantly inhibited
Ox-LDL-mediated adhesion of monocytes to endothelial cells, which is an essential step in the development of
atherosclerosis. Further, CNDs significantly inhibited
OxLDL-induced expression of
interleukin-8 (IL-8), a vital
cytokine on monocyte adhesion to the endothelial cells. These results demonstrate CNDs possess anti-inflammatory properties. CNDs also protect cells against
Ox-LDL-induced cytotoxicity. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy studies demonstrated direct
reactive oxygen species-scavenging by CNDs. This result indicates that the anti-inflammatory properties of CNDs are most likely due to their direct scavenging of
reactive oxygen species. Animal studies involving mice did not show any morphological or physical changes between the CNDs and control groups. Our study provides evidence of potential of CNDs in reducing
Ox-LDL-mediated
inflammation and cytotoxicity in HMEC-1.