Small Molecule-Capped Gold Nanoclusters for Curing Skin Infections

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Antibiotic resistance is a growing global health crisis, leading to intractable skin infections.
• Existing antibiotics are becoming ineffective against multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial strains.
• Novel antimicrobial materials are urgently needed to combat MDR infections.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent using non-antibiotic small molecule-modified gold nanoclusters (AuNCs).
• To create innovative wound dressings with enhanced therapeutic effects against MDR bacterial skin infections.
• To evaluate the efficacy and biocompatibility of DAPT-AuNCs-modified nanofibrous films.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of 4,6-diamino-2-pyrimidinethiol (DAPT)-modified gold nanoclusters (AuNCs).
• Immobilization of DAPT-AuNCs onto nanofibrous films to create antibiotic dressings.
• In vitro and in vivo testing against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial strains, including MDR strains.
• Assessment of wound healing efficacy and biocompatibility of the developed films.

Main Results:

• DAPT-AuNCs demonstrated broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including MDR strains.
• The DAPT-AuNCs-modified nanofibrous films exhibited excellent therapeutic effects in treating MDR bacterial-infected wounds.
• The developed antibacterial films showed good biocompatibility, indicating potential for clinical use.

Conclusions:

• DAPT-AuNCs represent a promising broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent, overcoming the limitations of narrow-spectrum antibiotics.
• Antibiotic nanofibrous films incorporating DAPT-AuNCs are effective wound dressings for MDR bacterial infections.
• The broad-spectrum activity and biocompatibility of these films suggest significant potential for clinical translation in treating skin infections.