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Updated: Apr 22, 2026
A Complete Method for Evaluating the Performance of Photocatalysts for the Degradation of Antibiotics in Environmental Remediation
Published on: October 6, 2022
Near-Infrared-Driven Photocatalysis of Lotus-Derived Porous Microcomposites for Synergistic Antibacterial and Cancer
Yanzheng Feng1,2, Sikai Di1,2, Zhihao Kang1,2
1State Key Laboratory of Woody Oil Resources Utilization, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Resource Utilization, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, P. R. China.
Abstract:
Single-modal therapies for bacterial infections and tumors suffer from critical bottlenecks, including insufficient reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, glutathione (GSH)-mediated ROS scavenging, poor targeting, and non-responsive drug release. Herein, a novel biomass-based multifunctional microcomposite (Pt/TiO2-D@Lotus) was constructed using natural lotus pollen-derived porous microparticles as the biocompatible matrix, modified with Pt/TiO2 Janus Schottky heterojunction, and loaded with doxorubicin (DOX). Under near-infrared (NIR) irradiation, the heterojunction efficiently separates photoexcited charges to boost ROS (•O2 -, •OH, 1O2) production and depletes 70% of intracellular GSH (500 µg mL-1) to amplify oxidative stress. The microcomposite shows a high photothermal conversion efficiency of 55.4% and pH/NIR dual-responsive DOX release (90% release at pH 5.0 + NIR). In vitro experiments demonstrate >99% antibacterial efficiency against S. aureus and E. coli, and ∼85% cancer cell apoptosis rate. In vivo antitumor therapy achieves a 92% tumor inhibition rate with negligible systemic toxicity and good biocompatibility. This work innovatively constructs a biomass-derived synergistic therapeutic platform, providing a feasible strategy to overcome the core limitations of traditional antibacterial and tumor therapies, and expanding the application of biomass materials in biomedicine.
Insights
A novel biomass microcomposite effectively combats bacterial infections and tumors by enhancing reactive oxygen species (ROS) and depleting glutathione (GSH). This synergistic approach offers a promising strategy for advanced biomedical therapies.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Single-modal therapies for bacterial infections and tumors face limitations like insufficient reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, glutathione (GSH) scavenging, poor targeting, and unresponsive drug release.
- Biomass-derived materials offer biocompatible platforms for developing multifunctional therapeutic agents.
Purpose of the Study:
- To construct a novel biomass-based multifunctional microcomposite for synergistic antibacterial and antitumor therapy.
- To address the limitations of traditional single-modal therapies by enhancing ROS production and overcoming GSH-mediated scavenging.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a Pt/TiO2-D@Lotus microcomposite using lotus pollen-derived porous microparticles, Pt/TiO2 Janus Schottky heterojunction, and doxorubicin (DOX).
- Utilizing near-infrared (NIR) irradiation to activate the heterojunction for boosted ROS generation and GSH depletion.
- Investigating pH/NIR dual-responsive DOX release and evaluating photothermal conversion efficiency.
- Assessing in vitro antibacterial efficacy against S. aureus and E. coli, and cancer cell apoptosis rates.
- Conducting in vivo antitumor therapy studies to determine tumor inhibition rates and systemic toxicity.
Main Results:
- The Pt/TiO2-D@Lotus microcomposite demonstrated efficient ROS production (•O2⁻, •OH, ¹O2) and significant intracellular GSH depletion (70%).
- High photothermal conversion efficiency (55.4%) and pH/NIR dual-responsive DOX release (90% at pH 5.0 + NIR) were achieved.
- In vitro studies showed >99% antibacterial efficiency and ~85% cancer cell apoptosis.
- In vivo antitumor therapy resulted in a 92% tumor inhibition rate with negligible systemic toxicity and good biocompatibility.
Conclusions:
- The developed biomass-derived microcomposite serves as an innovative synergistic therapeutic platform.
- This strategy effectively overcomes critical limitations in traditional antibacterial and tumor therapies.
- The study highlights the potential of biomass materials in advancing biomedical applications.
