ROS-Scavenging Bamboo-Derived Carbon Dot-Methotrexate Nanocomposite Ameliorates Rheumatoid Arthritis through Dual Therapeutic Mechanisms

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common chronic immune-mediated inflammatory disease. Current treatment strategies for RA are limited and often associated with significant adverse effects. Methotrexate (MTX), a first-line therapeutic agent for RA, demonstrates efficacy; however, its adverse effects remain a concern, particularly its tendency to increase reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and exacerbate oxidative stress. In this study, we developed an MTX/CD complex by combining MTX with bamboo leaf-derived carbon dots (CDs). Experimental results showed that the MTX/CD complex effectively reduced ROS generation and significantly mitigated oxidative stress, while retaining the favorable therapeutic effect of MTX against RA. Moreover, the composite more effectively suppressed the abnormal proliferation of rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synoviocytes (RA-FLS), thereby alleviating joint symptoms in RA patients and offering a novel therapeutic strategy for RA management.