Progress in porphyrin-based covalent organic frameworks for enhanced photodynamic antimicrobial therapy

Bacterial infections that delay wound healing represent a substantial challenge to human health. The advancement and implementation of porphyrin-based phototherapy provide a critical solution for addressing bacterial resistance, which has been exacerbated by the overuse of conventional antibiotics. However, the inherent hydrophobicity of porphyrin photosensitizers frequently results in aggregation and diminished photochemical performance. Porphyrin-based covalent organic frameworks (COFs) effectively resolve this issue by preventing aggregation and generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) as well as photothermal effects upon light irradiation, thereby suppressing bacterial proliferation. This review systematically summarizes recent progress in utilizing porphyrin-based COFs for the treatment of bacterial infections. It begins with a comprehensive analysis of how the physical structural characteristics of porphyrin-based COFs influence their photochemical efficiency, highlighting the strategies for enhancing the photochemical properties of COFs through rational structural engineering. Finally, the photodynamically combined antimicrobial therapy strategy based on porphyrin COFs was systematically summarized, with the aim of improving the inhibition of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli). This focus highlights the significant potential of porphyrin-based COFs as effective antibacterial agents. The insights presented herein are intended to stimulate the development of advanced COF materials for combating bacterial infections and promoting wound healing, providing a promising avenue for future research and applications in the biomedical field.