One-Arrow-Three Hawks: Antibiotic-Derived Nanozybiotics with Retained Antibacterial Activity and Dual...

Area of Science:

• Nanotechnology
• Biochemistry
• Materials Science

Background:

• Antibiotic resistance necessitates novel antimicrobial strategies beyond conventional drugs.
• Oxidative stress plays a role in various infections, requiring new therapeutic approaches.
• Existing treatments face limitations against multidrug-resistant pathogens and complex infections.

Purpose of the Study:

• To engineer a multifunctional nanozybiotic platform using antibiotic-derived carbon quantum dots.
• To investigate the combined intrinsic antibacterial activity and nanozyme properties of Cu/Ru-Moxi CDs.
• To evaluate the potential of Cu/Ru-Moxi CDs for combating antibiotic-resistant bacteria and modulating reactive oxygen species (ROS).

Main Methods:

• One-step hydrothermal synthesis of copper and ruthenium co-doped Moxifloxacin-derived carbon quantum dots (Cu/Ru-Moxi CDs).
• Characterization of nanozyme activities, including peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) mimicry, and free-radical scavenging.
• Evaluation of antimicrobial efficacy against Gram-positive, Gram-negative bacteria, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis, including biofilm inhibition.
• Assessment of cytocompatibility and pH-dependent catalytic response for ROS modulation.

Main Results:

• Cu/Ru-Moxi CDs demonstrated significant POD- and CAT-like catalytic activity.
• The nanozybiotic system retained intrinsic antibacterial activity against multidrug-resistant strains like MRSA and Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
• Enhanced biofilm inhibition was observed compared to conventional antibiotics.
• Good cytocompatibility was confirmed with CC50 > 100 µg/mL.
• pH-dependent catalytic activity suggests potential for ROS modulation.

Conclusions:

• Cu/Ru-Moxi CDs represent a promising multifunctional nanozybiotic platform by integrating antibiotic functionality with bimetallic nanozyme activity.
• This platform offers bactericidal action, dual nanozyme capabilities, and pH-responsive ROS modulation.
• The developed nanozybiotics show potential for next-generation antimicrobial strategies against resistant infections.