The Bioactivity of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Praeparata cum Melle Carbon Dots: A Preliminary Study of Their Antiallergic Effect

This study concurrently addressed the separation method for carbon dots derived from Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Praeparata cum Melle (GRRPM) and the in vitro evaluation of their anti-allergic biological activity. Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Praeparata cum Melle Carbon Dots (GRRPM-CDs) were prepared via decoction followed by dialysis, and their properties were characterized using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and nanomaterial techniques. Anti-allergic activity was evaluated using a C48/80-induced RBL-2H3 mast cell degranulation model. Safety and efficacy were assessed using the CCK-8 assay, direct intervention, and drug-containing serum methods. The release of β-hexosaminidase (β-hex), histamine (HIS), interleukin-4 (IL-4), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) was measured by ELISA, and key proteins in the MAPK signaling pathway were analyzed by Western blot. GRRPM-CDs inhibited mast cell degranulation and the release of allergic and inflammatory mediators in a dose-dependent manner. They also significantly downregulated the phosphorylation levels of the JNK, ERK, and p38 proteins in the MAPK signaling pathway. GRRPM-CDs exhibit significant anti-allergic activity, likely via suppression of the MAPK pathway. These findings provide new insights into the bioactive components of processed Glycyrrhiza and suggest potential avenues for developing novel therapies for allergic diseases.