The conjugates of carbon nanodots and chlorin e6 for enhancing cellular internalization and photodynamic therapy of cancers

Chlorin e6 (Ce6), a large heterocyclic aromatic molecule, is a promising photosensitizer for photodynamic therapy (PDT). We propose an efficient nano-photosensitizer delivery system based on covalent interactions between Ce6 and polyethylenimine (PEI) coated carbon nanodots (CDots). We observed  >50% Ce6 drug loading content for PEI, due to this compound's unique 'proton sponge effect.' We found that the covalently incorporated Ce6 molecules retained their functional properties for near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging and PDT. The chemical characteristics of CDot-PEI-Ce6 and Ce6 were evaluated using different analytical methods, including transmission electron microscopy and UV–Visible absorption spectra. Time-correlated single photon counting (TCSPC) and fluorescence spectra were used to demonstrate that Ce6 successfully conjugated to the CDots. The high cellular uptake of CDots-PEI-Ce6 was confirmed using flow cytometry and confocal laser scanning microscopy. According to the MTT assay, the CDots-PEI-Ce6 exhibited low dark toxicity and efficient PDT efficacy to HeLa cancer cells. These results indicate that CDot-PEI-Ce6 conjugates are potential photosensitizer delivery systems for PDT.