Biocompatible G-Quadruplex/Hemin for Enhancing Antibacterial Activity of H₂O₂

The G-quadruplex/hemin (G/H) complex has been broadly used in the field of bioanalytical chemistry for peroxidase-mimicking applications. The property of the G/H complex makes it possible to catalyze the decomposition of H₂O₂. The hydroxyl radical (·OH) generated during the procedure has a higher antibacterial performance than the original H₂O₂. Herein, an efficient and biocompatible antibacterial system, which provides the same antibacterial efficiency at lower H₂O₂ concentration to alleviate the H₂O₂ toxicity, has been demonstrated based on the conversion of H₂O₂ to ·OH. With the G/H complex as the additive, the antibacterial activity of H₂O₂ was vastly enhanced against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria in in vitro experiments. Furthermore, the designed antibacterial system was applied on the mice wound model in vivo and showed outstanding antibacterial activity of the G/H complex to prevent wound infection and facilitate wound healing. Our study renders the possibility of using the G/H complex to help control both Gram-positive and Gram-negative infections.