Selenium-doped carbon quantum dots derived from chestnut shells with high antioxidant activity against cellular oxidative stress

The chestnut shell contains natural antioxidants, such as proanthocyanidins, tannins, and gallic acid, while selenium is an essential trace element for humans, capable of scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS). In this study, Se-CQDs were successfully synthesized via a solvothermal method using chestnut shells and L-selenocysteine as precursors. The combined effects of the doped selenium and the abundant functional groups (-COOH and -OH) on the surface of Se-CQDs endow them with excellent free radical scavenging capability and antioxidant activity. Se-CQDs demonstrate potent scavenging capacity against diverse reactive oxygen species and free radicals. Furthermore, in an LPS-induced cell damage model, Se-CQDs effectively inhibited oxidative damage by modulating the levels of ROS in inflammatory cells. Therefore, this work provides a new strategy to prepare carbon quantum dots with high antioxidant activity, showing great potential in treatments of diseases related to oxidative stress.