Natural‐Derived Mg‐Doped Carbon Dots Nanozymes Hydrogel Patch Integrated With Orange Juice Exosomes Enable Spinal Cord Injury Repair via Immunomodulation and Ferroptosis

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Authors: Yukun Hu, S.P. Gao, Chuanhui Xun, Hao Wang, T Xu, Weidong Liang, Liang Ma, Weibin Sheng
Cited by: 6
References: 37

Abstract

ABSTRACT Spinal cord injury (SCI) involves oxidative stress, inflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction that impair neural cell survival, while conventional therapies fail to sustainably improve the lesion microenvironment. Here, we developed a composite hydrogel patch (Mg‐CDs/Exo@EW) by leveraging the enzyme‐mimicking activity and coordination crosslinking ability of magnesium‐doped carbon dots (Mg‐CDs) to induce egg white gelation, with uniform incorporation of orange juice–derived exosomes (Exo). Orange peel‐derived CDs displayed strong antioxidative nanozyme activity, which was further enhanced by magnesium ion doping to promote M2 macrophage polarization, axonal regeneration, and neural repair. Transcriptomic and Western blot analyses revealed that Mg‐CDs activate the GPX4/ACSL4 pathway to suppress neuronal ferroptosis. Untargeted metabolomics showed that Exo are enriched in flavonoids and vitamin C with potent antioxidative and anti‐inflammatory effects, while their negatively charged surface and adhesion molecules provide targeted delivery and enhanced repair efficacy. In vivo, Mg‐CDs/Exo@EW effectively alleviated oxidative stress, regulated inflammation, reduced glial scar formation, and supported axonal regeneration, ultimately improving motor functional recovery. This multifunctional platform offers a promising therapeutic strategy for SCI.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Advanced Nanomaterials in Catalysis Carbon and Quantum Dots Applications Nanoplatforms for cancer theranostics

Publication details

Journal / source
Advanced Functional Materials
Publisher
Wiley
Volume
36
Issue
39
Publication date
26 February 2026
Language
EN