Nanozyme-driven multifunctional dressings: moving beyond enzyme-like catalysis in chronic wound treatment

The treatment of chronic wounds presents significant challenges due to the necessity of accelerating healing within complex microenvironments characterized by persistent inflammation and biochemical imbalances. Factors such as bacterial infections, hyperglycemia, and oxidative stress disrupt cellular functions and impair angiogenesis, substantially delaying wound repair. Nanozymes, which are engineered nanoscale materials with enzyme-like activities, offer distinct advantages over conventional enzymes and traditional nanomaterials, making them promising candidates for chronic wound treatment. To enhance their clinical potential, nanozyme-based catalytic systems are currently being optimized through formulation advancements and preclinical studies assessing their biocompatibility, anti-oxidant activity, antibacterial efficacy, and tissue repair capabilities, ensuring their safety and clinical applicability. When integrated into multifunctional wound dressings, nanozymes modulate reactive oxygen species levels, promote tissue regeneration, and simultaneously combat infections and oxidative damage, extending beyond conventional enzyme-like catalysis in chronic wound treatment. The customizable architectures of nanozymes enable precise therapeutic applications, enhancing their effectiveness in managing complex wound conditions. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the incorporation of nanozymes into wound dressings, detailing fabrication methods and emphasizing their transformative potential in chronic wound management. By identifying and addressing key limitations, we introduce strategic advancements to drive the development of nanozyme-driven dressings, paving the way for next-generation chronic wound treatments.