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Updated: Jun 21, 2026

Methods to Inhibit Bacterial Pyomelanin Production and Determine the Corresponding Increase in Sensitivity to Oxidative Stress
Published on: August 31, 2015
Cuttlefish-Inspired Photo-Responsive Antibacterial Microparticles with Natural Melanin Nanoparticles Spray
Chuanhui Song1, Xiangyi Wu1, Yu Wang1
1Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China.
Abstract:
Topical antibiotics can be utilized to treat periodontitis, while their delivery stratagems with controlled release and long-lasting bactericidal inhibition are yet challenging. Herein, inspired by the defensive behavior of cuttlefish expelling ink, this work develops innovative thermal-responsive melanin-integrated porous microparticles (MPs) through microfluidic synthesis for periodontitis treatment. These MPs are composed of melanin nanoparticles (NPs), poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM), and agarose. Benefiting from the excellent biocompatibility and large surface area ratio of MPs, they can deliver abundant melanin NPs. Under near-infrared irradiation, the melanin NPs can convert photo energy into thermal energy. This leads to agarose melting and subsequent shrinkage of the microspheres induced by pNIPAM, thereby facilitating the release of melanin NPs. In addition, the released melanin NPs can serve as a highly effective photothermal agent, displaying potent antibacterial activity against porphyromonas gingivalis and possessing natural anti-inflammatory properties. These unique characteristics are further demonstrated through in vivo experiments, showing the antibacterial effects in the treatment of infected wounds and periodontitis. Therefore, the catfish-inspired photo-responsive antibacterial MPs with controlled-release drug delivery hold tremendous potential in clinical antibacterial applications.
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