Fuente: Molecules - Revista científica (MDPI) Molecules, Vol. 31, Pages 752: One-Step Fabrication of N,S-Codoped Carbon Dots from Acronicta major Larva: Structural Characterization and Sedative–Hypnotic Mechanisms
Molecules doi: 10.3390/molecules31040752
Authors:
Kai Cheng
Xinrong Tian
Jinyu Ma
Ertong Dai
Ruiyan Liu
Minlong Xia
Bilin Jin
Siqi Wang
Zixuan Lu
Yue Zhang
Hui Kong
Huihua Qu
Yan Zhao

The Acronicta major larva is a toxic agricultural pest that poses severe ecological management challenges. This study presents a sustainable strategy to valorize this hazardous biological waste into functional nanotherapeutics for insomnia by leveraging its unique intrinsic chemical composition. Carbon dots derived from Acronicta major larva (AM-CDs) were synthesized via one-step pyrolysis, which facilitated the natural molecular pre-assembly of N,S-codoping. Their physicochemical properties and cytotoxicity were evaluated using a series of characterizations and the CCK-8 assay. The sedative and hypnotic effects were assessed in mice with PCPA-induced insomnia through hot plate, Open Field and pentobarbital-induced sleep tests, and their potential mechanism was explored via neurotransmitter detection. The thermal process effectively eliminated intrinsic toxicity while retaining bioactivity via in situ heteroatom doping. AM-CDs exhibited favorable biocompatibility and significant sedative–hypnotic activity, reducing anxiety-related agitation without motor impairment. Mechanistically, AM-CDs effectively restored the GABA/5-HT/glutamate axis. Unlike direct central receptor binding, our findings suggest that this therapeutic effect is likely mediated through a systemic or peripheral regulatory pathway. This study demonstrates the conversion of toxic pests into safe and intrinsically bioactive nanomaterials, providing a dual solution for ecological pest management and novel neuroactive agent development, and validating the “Waste-to-Wealth” concept in biomedicine.