Environmental agents such as pesticides, weedicides and herbicides (collectively referred to as pesticides) are associated with the onset and pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's (PD) and Alzheimer's (AD) diseases. The development of blood-brain barrier (BBB)-penetrating therapeutic candidates to both prevent and treat the aforementioned xenotoxicant-induced neurodegenerative disorders remains an unmet need. Here, we examine whether caffeic-acid based Carbon Quantum Dots (CACQDs) can intervene in pesticide-associated onset and progress of the PD phenotype. Pulse-chase fluorescence analyses revealed that CACQDs intervene in the soluble-to-toxic transformation of the amyloid-forming protein model Hen Egg White Lysozyme (HEWL). The sp2-rich CACQDs also scavenged free radicals, a milestone along the PD trajectory. In-vitro, CACQDs introduced into a human neuroblastoma-derived cell line (SH-SY5Y) demonstrated negligible cytotoxicity up to 5 mg/mL and protected the cell line against oxidative stress-induced neuronal injury induced by the pesticide and potent neurotoxin, paraquat. Our findings suggest that the potentially BBB-penetrating CACQDs derived from caffeic acid hold promise for mitigating neurodegenerative disorders associated with environmental pesticides and xenobiotic neurotoxicants. Importantly, CACQDs sourced from coffee, coupled with their facile synthesis, represent a sustainable, green chemistry platform for generating interventional candidates in neurodegeneration. The application of caffeic acid derived Carbon Quantum Dots (CACQDs) to mitigate oxidative stress induced by paraquat. Display omitted •Caffeic acid recarbonization offers a green chemistry approach to develop carbon nanomaterials.•BBB-penetrating caffeic acid quantum dots for prevention of neurodegeneration.•CACQDs as potent free radical scavengers for oxidative stress regulation.•CACQDs protect SH-SY5Y Cells against oxidative stress-induced neuronal injury by paraquat.