Single-atom nanozyme-based catalytic ROS clearance for efficiently alleviating eczema.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Nanotechnology
• Catalysis

Background:

• Single-atom nanozymes (SAzymes) offer high biological catalytic activity for biomedical uses.
• Developing SAzymes with multiple enzymatic functions is crucial for complex therapeutic applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize a Ruthenium-Nitrogen-Carbon single-atom nanozyme (RuN4-SAzyme).
• To evaluate the in vitro and in vivo therapeutic potential of RuN4-SAzymes for treating eczema-like conditions.

Main Methods:

• RuN4-SAzyme synthesized via thermal decomposition.
• In vitro assays assessed peroxidase, catalase, superoxide dismutase, and NAD oxidase-like activities.
• In vivo studies evaluated eczema alleviation in a mouse model, comparing efficacy to tacrolimus.

Main Results:

• RuN4-SAzyme exhibited high peroxidase-like activity (Km = 0.077 mM for TMB).
• The SAzyme demonstrated catalase, SOD, and NAD oxidase-like activities, neutralizing reactive oxygen species.
• In vivo, RuN4-SAzymes significantly reduced eczema symptoms by clearing inflammatory factors, mitigating oxidative stress, and promoting M2 macrophage polarization.

Conclusions:

• RuN4-SAzymes possess multi-enzymatic properties and potent antioxidant capabilities.
• The synthesized RuN4-SAzyme shows significant therapeutic potential for eczema treatment, comparable to tacrolimus.
• SAzymes represent a promising class of nanomaterials for advanced biomedical and therapeutic applications.