Prussian blue-based nanoplatforms for programmable and synergistic antimicrobial therapy

The increasing crisis of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial infections necessitates the development of advanced antimicrobial platforms with enhanced specificity and therapeutic efficacy. Prussian blue (PB) and its analogues have emerged as potential candidates due to their unique pore structure, high photothermal conversion efficiency, and intrinsic multienzyme mimetic activities. This review systematically deconstructs the relationship between the structure and performance of PB-based nanoplatforms, emphasizing how defects and valence states affect their catalytic and physicochemical properties. We evaluate recent advancements in engineered PB nanostructures, focusing on their programmable antimicrobial behaviours triggered by endogenous microenvironmental factors (e.g., pH, redox substances) and exogenous physical stimuli (e.g., light, microwaves). And PB-driven reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, hyperthermia, and controlled iron release are discussed. Furthermore, we critically analyze clinical translation, including consistency in synthesis, long-term immunocompatibility, and targeting kinetics. This review aims to provide a strategy for the rational development of PB-based therapeutics in the treatment of complex infectious diseases.