Carbon Dots as Versatile Strategy for Tissue Regeneration: Mechanisms and Applications

Regenerative medicine represents a pivotal Frontier in modern healthcare, aiming to fabricate substitutes and regenerate the structure and function of damaged tissues/organs. However, using a single traditional biomaterial cannot fully recapitulate the complex composition of the native extracellular matrix; thus, it will not be able to meet all the requirements for cellular interactions. Carbon dots (CDs), under these circumstances, have emerged as a novel nanomaterial that serves as a promising candidate in the field. They possess distinctive advantages that are crucial for regenerative applications, including exceptional biocompatibility, tunable optical properties, facile surface functionalization, and inherent therapeutic bioactivities. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the role of CDs in advancing tissue regeneration. It systematically summarizes synthesis approaches and discusses a range of precursors that influence the functional characteristics of CDs. Key findings then demonstrate their significant applications across major categories in regenerative medicine, covering the repair of hard and soft tissues, the promotion of wound healing in both normal and diabetic conditions, and innovative approaches to antiaging therapy. Through a thorough exploration, the authors aim to highlight the transformative potential of CDs, and promote their applications in effective clinical solutions for tissue regeneration and broader healthcare challenges.