Bimetallic CuCo nanoclusters with peroxidase-like activity for synergistic antibacterial therapy and wound healing

Severe infections and a complicated healing process caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria in skin wounds have urgently driven the development of novel antibacterial agents. In this study, bimetallic copper-cobalt nanoclusters (CuCo NCs) were successfully synthesized via a one-pot aqueous co-reduction method and evaluated as a potential antimicrobial platform for wound infection treatment. The peroxidase-like (POD-like) activity of CuCo NCs catalyzes H₂O₂ to generate hydroxyl radicals (•OH), inducing membrane disruption of bacteria. Consequently, the CuCo NCs exhibited potent and broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, including Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 45.0 μg/mL and 11.3 μg/mL, and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) of 90.0 μg/mL and 22.5 μg/mL, respectively, along with favorable biocompatibility. In a mouse model of dorsal skin wound infection, treatment with the CuCo NCs-loaded wound dressing significantly accelerated wound closure and promoted tissue regeneration. This study offers valuable insights into the rational design of bimetallic CuCo nanoclusters, which may shed light on the development of effective strategies for combating wound-associated infections and advancing clinical wound management.