Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 10, 2025
Author Spotlight: Advancing Pathogen Detection and Disease Assessment in Real-Time Using M-ROSE
Published on: March 1, 2024
Multiple enzyme-mimic polypeptide based carbon nanoparticles by ROP and Fe coordination for ROS regulation and
Ya-Li Xiang1, Ling-Ling Yan1, Luo-Lin Deng1
1Key Laboratory of Pollution Control Chemistry and Environmental Functional Materials for Qinghai-Tibet Plateau of the National Ethnic Affairs Commission, School of Chemistry and Environment, Southwest Minzu University, First Ring Road, 4th Section No. 16, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China.
A novel polypeptide-based carbon nanozyme effectively combats bacterial infections by regulating reactive oxygen species (ROS) and using photothermal therapy. This nanozyme shows high efficacy against common and drug-resistant bacteria, with excellent biosafety in preclinical models.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Antimicrobial Research
Background:
- Antibiotic resistance necessitates novel strategies to combat global bacterial infections.
- Nanozymes offer promising catalytic efficiency and biocompatibility for therapeutic applications.
- Developing multifunctional nanozymes for combined therapeutic effects is a key research area.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize a novel polypeptide-based carbon nanoparticle with multiple enzyme-mimicking activities.
- To investigate the nanozyme's capacity for reactive oxygen species (ROS) regulation and photothermal therapy.
- To evaluate the nanozyme's efficacy against bacterial infections, including drug-resistant strains, and assess its biosafety.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of a nanozyme using N-carboxyanhydride mediated ring opening polymerization and Fe coordination.
- Characterization of multiple enzyme-mimic activities (peroxidase, oxidase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase) for ROS regulation.
- Assessment of photothermal effect under 808 nm near-infrared (NIR) irradiation.
- In vitro evaluation against Gram-negative Escherichia coli and Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus.
- In vitro and in vivo testing against Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) biofilms and wound infections in a mice model.
Main Results:
- The synthesized nanozyme demonstrated significant inhibition rates against planktonic Escherichia coli (99.03%) and Staphylococcus aureus (99.78%).
- Effective disruption of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) biofilms was observed.
- In vivo experiments showed a high healing efficacy (99.05%) against MRSA wound infections with excellent biosafety.
- The nanozyme effectively regulated ROS and exhibited a notable photothermal effect.
Conclusions:
- The novel polypeptide-based carbon nanozyme exhibits potent antimicrobial activity through ROS regulation and photothermal therapy.
- The nanozyme demonstrated high efficacy against both susceptible and drug-resistant bacterial strains, including MRSA.
- The material shows excellent biocompatibility and therapeutic potential for treating bacterial infections and wound healing in preclinical settings.
