Construction of pH-Dependent Nanozymes with Oxygen Vacancies as the High-Efficient Reactive Oxygen Species Scavenger for Oral-Administrated Anti-Inflammatory Therapy

Dunhuang Dabupi Decoction and its active components alleviate ulcerative colitis by activating glutathione metabolism and inhibiting JAK-STAT pathway in Drosophila and mice

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Dabupi Decoction (DBPD) originates from the ancient Dunhuang medical literature "Fu Xing Jue Visceral to Drug law legend" for more than 1000 years, which has been extensively employed to treat various diseases related to the spleen and stomach. However, limited studies focus on the mechanism of DBPD against ulcerative colitis (UC).

AIM OF THE STUDY

The beneficial effect and mechanism of DBPD against UC were detected by adopting both Drosophila melanogaster and C57BL/6J mouse models.

METHODS

The protective effect of DBPD against DSS-induced intestinal damage in flies was investigated by utilizing survival rate, locomotion, excretion, smurf, intestinal length, intestinal acid-base homeostasis, and Tepan blue assay. In mice, HE staining and ELISA kit were employed to assess serum histopathological damage and inflammatory factor levels. Subsequently, the molecular mechanism of DBPD was subsequently detected via DHE staining, immunofluorescence, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), real-time PCR, and transcriptomic sequencing. Additionally, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and phenotype experiments in UC flies were utilized to identify the bioactive components of DBPD against UC.

RESULTS

Oral administration of DBPD remarkably alleviated DSS-induced body damage in flies by improving survival rate, locomotion, and excretion. It also remarkably rescued intestinal morphological damage, repaired acid-base homeostatic imbalance, inhibited intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) death and excessive proliferation of intestinal stem cells (ISCs), and improved ultrastructural damage of IECs in flies treated with DSS. Consistently, DBPD attenuated colitis symptoms, alleviated intestinal histopathological damage, and restored the expression of inflammatory factors in DSS-induced UC mice. As suggested by an integration of transcriptome data with molecular biology experiments, DBPD not only dramatically alleviated oxidative damage by activating the glutathione metabolic pathway, but also lowered inflammatory reaction by inhibiting the JAK-STAT pathway. Additionally, four compounds of DBPD, rhein acid, isoquercitrin, curcumin, and zeaxanthin were identified to alleviate the DSS-induced intestinal injury.

CONCLUSION

DBPD demonstrate immense potential for intestinal injury predominantly by activating the glutathione metabolic pathway to alleviate oxidative damage, and inhibiting the JAK-STAT pathway to mitigate inflammatory response. Rhein acid, isoquercitrin, curcumin, and zeaxanthin were the bioactive compounds of DBPD against UC.

Enhanced catalytic efficiency of nanozymes with a V-structured chip for microfluidic biosensing of S. typhimurium

Nanozymes, nanomaterials with enzyme-like characteristics which exhibit lower cost, easier synthesis and functionalization, and better stability compared with natural enzymes, have been widely developed for biosensing, disease therapy and environmental governance. However, the lack of catalytic efficiency of nanozymes compared to natural enzymes makes it difficult for them to completely replace natural enzymes to achieve higher sensitivity and lower detection limits in biosensing. Herein, magnetism-controlled technology was used to form a nanozyme array consisting of stacked Fe3O4/Au NPs at the bottom of the microchannel as a spatially confined microreactor for the catalytic reaction. By enhancing the mass transfer process of the substrate towards nanozymes mediated by the corresponding V-structure, a higher local concentration of the substrate and more efficient utilization of active sites of nanozymes were achieved to increase the catalytic efficiency (kcat/KM) of the nanozyme array consisting of Fe3O4/Au NPs by 95.2%, which was two orders of magnitude higher than that of the open reactor. Based on this, a colorimetric method on an integrated microfluidic platform was proposed for sensitive biosensing of Salmonella typhimurium. The entire detection could be completed within 30 minutes, yielding a linear range from 102 to 107 CFU mL-1 and a detection limit as low as 5.6 CFU mL-1.

Precision therapeutics for inflammatory bowel disease: advancing ROS-responsive nanoparticles for targeted and multifunctional drug delivery

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a severe chronic intestinal disorder with a rising global incidence. Current therapies, including the delivery of anti-inflammatory drugs and probiotics, face significant challenges in terms of safety, stability, and efficacy. In IBD patients, the activity of antioxidant enzymes (e.g., superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione reductase) is reduced at the site of intestinal inflammation, leading to the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). This accumulation damages the intestinal mucosa, disrupts tight junctions between cells, and compromises the integrity of the intestinal barrier, exacerbating IBD symptoms. Therefore, nanoparticles responsive to ROS and capable of mimicking antioxidant enzyme activity, such as boronates, polydopamine, sulfides, and metal nanozymes, have emerged as promising tools. These nanoparticles can respond to elevated ROS levels in inflamed intestinal regions and release drugs to effectively neutralize ROS, making them ideal candidates for IBD treatment. This review discusses the application of various ROS-responsive nanomaterial delivery systems in IBD therapy, highlights current challenges, and outlines future research directions. Furthermore, we explore the "layered programmable delivery" strategy, which combines ROS-responsive nanoparticles with pH-responsive and cell membrane-targeted nanoparticles. This strategy has the potential to overcome the limitations of single-mechanism targeted drug delivery, enabling multi-range and multi-functional treatment approaches that significantly enhance delivery efficiency, providing new insights for the future of localized IBD treatment.

Innovative Gastrointestinal Drug Delivery Systems: Nanoparticles, Hydrogels, and Microgrippers

Over the past decade, new technologies have emerged to increase intrinsic potency, enhance bioavailability, and improve targeted delivery of drugs. Most pharmaceutical formulations require multiple dosing due to their fast release and short elimination kinetics, increasing the risk of adverse events and patient non-compliance. Due to these limitations, enormous efforts have focused on developing drug delivery systems (DDSs) for sustained release and targeted delivery. Sustained release strategies began with pioneering research using silicone rubber embedding for small molecules and non-inflammatory polymer encapsulation for proteins or DNA. Subsequently, numerous DDSs have been developed as controlled-release formulations to deliver systemic or local therapeutics, such as small molecules, biologics, or live cells. In this review, we discuss the latest developments of DDSs, specifically nanoparticles, hydrogels, and microgrippers for the delivery of systemic or localized drugs to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. We examine innovative DDS design and delivery strategies tailored to the GI tract's unique characteristics, such as its extensive length and anatomical complexity, varying pH levels and enzymatic activity across different sections, and intrinsic peristalsis. We particularly emphasize those designed for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) with in vivo preclinical studies.

Stimulus-responsive drug delivery nanoplatforms for inflammatory bowel disease therapy

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) manifests as inflammation in the colon, rectum, and ileum, presenting a global health concern with increasing prevalence. Therefore, effective anti-inflammatory therapy stands as a promising strategy for the prevention and management of IBD. However, conventional nano drug delivery systems (NDDSs) for IBD face many challenges in targeting the intestine, such as physiological and pathological barriers, genetic variants, disease severity, and nutritional status, which often result in nonspecific tissue distribution and uncontrolled drug release. To address these limitations, stimulus-responsive NDDSs have received considerable attention in recent years due to their advantages in providing controlled release and enhanced targeting. This review provides an overview of the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying IBD and summarizes recent advancements in microenvironmental stimulus-responsive nanocarriers for IBD therapy. These carriers utilize physicochemical stimuli such as pH, reactive oxygen species, enzymes, and redox substances to deliver drugs for IBD treatment. Additionally, pivotal challenges in the future development and clinical translation of stimulus-responsive NDDSs are emphasized. By offering insights into the development and optimization of stimulus-responsive drug delivery nanoplatforms, this review aims to facilitate their application in treating IBD. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: This review highlights recent advancements in stimulus-responsive nano drug delivery systems (NDDSs) for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). These innovative nanoplatforms respond to specific environmental triggers, such as pH reactive oxygen species, enzymes, and redox substances, to release drugs directly at the inflammation site. By summarizing the latest research, our work underscores the potential of these technologies to improve drug targeting and efficacy, offering new directions for IBD therapy. This review is significant as it provides a comprehensive overview for researchers and clinicians, facilitating the development of more effective treatments for IBD and other chronic inflammatory diseases.

Ternary inulin hydrogel with long-term intestinal retention for simultaneously reversing IBD and its fibrotic complication

Excessive accumulation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) and dysbiosis of intestinal microbiota are pivotal symptoms for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and its associated complications, such as intestinal fibrosis. This research introduces a probiotic inulin hydrogel loaded with polypyrrole (PPy) nanozymes and antifibrotic drug pirfenidone (PFD) (PPy/PFD@Inulin gel) designed for the concurrent amelioration of IBD and its fibrotic complication. Upon oral administration, the inulin gel matrix could extend the gastrointestinal residence time of PPy nanozymes and PFD, facilitating the efficient reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokine levels and enhancement of the intestinal epithelial barrier repair as well as the suppression of intestinal fibrosis through sustained RONS scavenging, modulation of gut microbiota and attenuation of the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway to inhibit fibroblast proliferation. Notably, the PPy/PFD@Inulin gel demonstrated significant prophylactic and therapeutic efficacy in acute and chronic colitis as well as intestinal fibrosis induced by dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) in mouse models. Thus, the engineered ternary PPy/PFD@Inulin gel offered a pioneered paradigm for simultaneous reversal of IBD and its associated complications, such as intestinal fibrosis, in a single therapeutic regimen.

Orally Deliverable Microalgal-Based Carrier with Selenium Nanozymes for Alleviation of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) is a hallmark of both the onset and progression of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), where a continuous cycle of ROS and inflammation drives the progression of diseases. The design of oral antioxidant nanoenzymes for scavenging ROS has emerged as a promising strategy to intervene in IBD. However, the practical application of these nanoenzymes is limited due to their single catalytical property and significantly impacted by substantial leakage in the upper gastrointestinal tract. This study introduces a novel oral delivery system, SP@CS-SeNPs, combining natural microalgae Spirulina platensis (SP), which possesses superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activity, with chitosan-functionalized selenium nanoparticles (CS-SeNPs) that exhibit catalase-like activity. The SP@CS-SeNPs system leverages the dual catalytic capabilities of these components to initiate a cascade reaction that first converts superoxide anion radicals (O2•-) into hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and then catalyzes the decomposition of H2O2 into water and oxygen. This system not only utilizes the resistance of the microalgae carrier to gastric acid and its efficient capture by intestinal villi, thereby enhancing intestinal distribution and retention but also demonstrates significant anti-inflammatory effects and effective repair of the damaged intestinal barrier in a colitis mice model. These results demonstrate that this oral delivery system successfully combines the features of microalgae and nanozymes, exhibits excellent biocompatibility, and offers a novel approach for antioxidant nanozyme intervention in IBD.

Oxygen-Vacancy-Rich Monolayer BiO2- X Nanosheets for Bacterial Sepsis Management via Dual Physically Antibacterial and Chemically Anti-inflammatory Functions

Sepsis is defined as a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection. Effective treatment of bacterial sepsis remains challenging due to the rapid progression of infection and the systemic inflammatory response. In this study, monolayer BiO2- X nanosheets (BiO2- X NSs) with oxygen-rich vacancies through sonication-assisted liquid-phase exfoliation are successfully synthesized. Herein, the BiO2- X NSs exhibit a novel nanozyme-enabled intervention strategy for the management of bacterial sepsis, based on its pH dependent dual antibacterial and anti-inflammatory functions. BiO2- X NSs exhibit effective antibacterial by utilizing oxidase (OXD)-like activity. Additionally, BiO2- X NSs can scavenge multiple reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitigate systemic hyperinflammation by mimicking superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). These dual capabilities of BiO2- X NSs allow them to address bacterial infection, proinflammatory cytokines secretion and ROS burst collaboratively, effectively reversing the progression of bacterial sepsis. In vivo experiments have demonstrated that BiO2- X NSs significantly reduce bacterial burden, attenuate systemic hyperinflammation, and rapidly rescued organ damage. Importantly, no obvious adverse effects are observed at the administered dose of BiO2- X NSs. This study presents a novel defect engineering strategy for the rational design of high-performance nanozymes and development of new nanomedicines for managing bacterial sepsis.

Enzyme-like biomimetic oral-agent enabling modulating gut microbiota and restoring redox homeostasis to treat inflammatory bowel disease

Reactive oxygen species (ROS), immune dysregulation-induced inflammatory outbreaks and microbial imbalance play critical roles in the development of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Herein, a novel enzyme-like biomimetic oral-agent ZnPBA@YCW has been developed, using yeast cell wall (YCW) as the outer shell and zinc-doped Prussian blue analogue (ZnPBA) nanozyme inside. When orally administered, the ZnPBA@YCW is able to adhere to Escherichia coli occupying the ecological niche in IBD and subsequently release the ZnPBA nanozyme for removal of E. coli, meanwhile exhibiting improved intestinal epithelial barrier repair. Moreover, it is found that the ZnPBA nanozyme exhibits remarkable capability in restoring redox homeostasis by scavenging ROS and inhibiting NF-κB signaling pathway. More importantly, the 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing results indicate that post-oral of ZnPBA@YCW can effectively regulate gut microbiota by enhancing the bacterial richness and diversity, significantly increasing the abundance of probiotics with anti-inflammatory phenotype while downgrading pathogenic E. coli to the same level as normal mice. Such a novel nanomedicine provides a new idea for efficient treating those ROS-mediated diseases accompanying with flora disorders.

Protective effect of carbon dots as antioxidants on intestinal inflammation by regulating oxidative stress and gut microbiota in nematodes and mouse models

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a recurrent chronic colitis disease with increasing incidence and prevalence year by year. The single efficacy and significant side effects of traditional IBD treatment drugs have promoted the flourishing development of new drugs. Inspired by many health benefits of carbon dots (CDs) based nanomedicine in biomedical applications, a metal-free carbon dots (CP-CDs) was synthesized from citric acid and polyethylene polyamine to treat colitis. Oxidative stress tests at the cellular and nematode levels demonstrated CP-CDs have good antioxidant effects, while the toxicity of CP-CDs to cells and nematodes is low. CP-CDs were further applied to dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis in mice models, and it was found that CP-CDs can reduce the disease activity index (DAI) score of colon tissue and restore the intestinal barrier. Further, the anti-colitis mechanisms of CP-CDs were explored, one of which is to regulate intestinal oxidative stress in inflammatory mice, further reducing the expression of inflammatory cytokines, and thus alleviating colitis. Notably, 16S rRNA sequence analysis showed that the abundance of beneficial bacteria (Ligilactobacillus and Enterorhabdus) in the intestinal tract increased, while that of harmful bacteria (unclassified_Clostridia_UCG_014) decreased after CP-CDs treatment, indicating that CP-CDs rebalancing the gut microbiota destroyed by DSS is another important mechanism. In short, these non-toxic carbon dots not only have the potential for multi-factor combined relief of colitis but also offer an alternative therapy medicine for patients suffering from IBD.

Ultrasmall Cu2O@His Nanozymes with RONS Scavenging Capability for Anti-inflammatory Therapy

High concentrations of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) are key characteristics of inflammatory sites. Scavenging RONS at the site of inflammation is an effective therapeutic strategy. This study introduces ultrasmall Cu2O@His nanoparticles with RONS-scavenging ability for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in mice. The strong coordination between the nitrogen atom in histidine (His) and copper enhances the dispersion and stability of Cu2O@His. Due to their small size and large surface area, Cu2O@His exhibits outstanding RONS-clearing ability. Importantly, Cu2O@His can target mitochondrial sites and repair damaged mitochondria. With excellent dispersion and scavenging RONS ability, Cu2O@His demonstrates good efficacy in treating mouse IBD. This work provides a new paradigm for developing nanozymes with an ultrasmall size and multiple scavenging RONS abilities.

Propelling CuCo-based nanozyme design to new heights through triple enzyme-like power for high-efficiency bacterial eradication

Bacterial infection-related diseases are a serious issue that threatens human health, and it is highly desirable to develop a high-performance antibacterial agent to combat it. Herein, copper/cobalt-based metal sulfide nanoparticles (CCS NPs) as a new kind of antibacterial nanozyme were prepared by a facile hydrothermal method. Owing to its rich chemical states, the CCS NPs with intrinsic peroxidase- and oxidase-like activities could generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) to exert bactericidal capacity. The CCS NPs could also rapidly deplete glutathione (GSH) to aggravate the oxidative stress in bacteria, thus enhancing the sterilization effect. The results showed that, with the assistance of H2O2 at low concentrations, CCS NPs possessing peroxidase-like, oxidase-like, and GSH depletion activities could achieve remarkable antibacterial effects in vitro. The in vivo implantation demonstrated that CCS NPs with triple enzyme-like activities had efficient bacteria elimination and good biocompatibility in treating bacteria-infected wounds, indicating its wide potential application in the non-antibiotic treatment of bacteria-infected wounds.

Qiqilian ameliorates vascular endothelial dysfunction by inhibiting NLRP3-ASC inflammasome activation in vivo and in vitro

CONTEXT

Previous studies have highlighted significant therapeutic effects of Qiqilian (QQL) capsule on hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs); however, its underlying molecular mechanism remains unclear.

OBEJECTIVE

We investigated the potential mechanism by which QQL improves hypertension-induced vascular endothelial dysfunction (VED).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In vivo, SHRs were divided into four groups (20 per group) and were administered gradient doses of QQL (0, 0.3, 0.6, and 1.2 g/kg) for 8 weeks, while Wistar Kyoto rats were used as normal control. The vascular injury extent, IL-1β and IL-18 levels, NLRP3, ASC and caspase-1 contents were examined. In vitro, the effects of QQL-medicated serum on angiotensin II (AngII)-induced inflammatory and autophagy in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were assessed.

RESULT

Compared with the SHR group, QQL significantly decreased thickness (125.50 to 105.45 μm) and collagen density (8.61 to 3.20%) of arterial vessels, and reduced serum IL-1β (96.25 to 46.13 pg/mL) and IL-18 (345.01 to 162.63 pg/mL) levels. The NLRP3 and ACS expression in arterial vessels were downregulated (0.21- and 0.16-fold, respectively) in the QQL-HD group compared with the SHR group. In vitro, QQL treatment restored NLRP3 and ASC expression, which was downregulated approximately 2-fold compared with that of AngII-induced HUVECs. Furthermore, QQL decreased LC3II and increased p62 contents (p < 0.05), indicating a reduction in autophagosome accumulation. These effects were inhibited by the autophagy agonist rapamycin and enhanced by the autophagy inhibitor chloroquine.

CONCLUSION

QQL effectively attenuated endothelial injury and inflammation by inhibiting AngII-induced excessive autophagy, which serves as a potential therapeutic strategy for hypertension.

One-pot synthesis of ultra-stable polyvinylpyrrolidone-modified MnO2 nanoparticles for efficient radiation protection

Radiobiological damage can be caused by radiation, and easy preparation of long-term stable radioprotectors is helpful for timely and efficient response to radiation emergencies. This study develops an ultra-stable radioprotector for rapid nuclear emergency with a simple preparing method. First of all, polyvinylpyrrolidone-modified MnO2 nanoparticles (PVP-MnO2 NPs) are obtained by one-pot synthesis with ultra-stability (remaining for at least three years) and multiple free radical scavenging activities. In the synthesis process, PVP acts as a reducing agent, a surfactant (soft template), and a steric stabilizer. PVP-MnO2 NPs can improve the survival rates of irradiated cells by effectively scavenging free radicals and protecting DNA from radiation damage. Besides, PVP-MnO2 NPs can also prevent peripheral blood cell and organ damage induced by radiation, and improve the survival rate of irradiated mice. Finally, PVP-MnO2 NPs are mainly metabolized by liver and kidney in mice, and basically excreted 72 h after administration. These results indicate that PVP-MnO2 NPs exhibit good biosafety and radioprotection activity, which is significant for the development of radioprotection agents.

Recent advances on emerging nanomaterials for diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic idiopathic inflammatory disorder that affects the entire gastrointestinal tract and is associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer. Mainstream clinical testing methods are time-consuming, painful for patients, and insufficiently sensitive to detect early symptoms. Currently, there is no definitive cure for IBD, and frequent doses of medications with potentially severe side effects may affect patient response. In recent years, nanomaterials have demonstrated considerable potential for IBD management due to their diverse structures, composition, and physical and chemical properties. In this review, we provide an overview of the advances in nanomaterial-based diagnosis and treatment of IBD in recent five years. Multi-functional bio-nano platforms, including contrast agents, near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent probes, and bioactive substance detection agents have been developed for IBD diagnosis. Based on a series of pathogenic characteristics of IBD, the therapeutic strategies of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and intestinal microbiome regulation of IBD based on nanomaterials are systematically introduced. Finally, the future challenges and prospects in this field are presented to facilitate the development of diagnosis and treatment of IBD.

Recent Advances in Nanozyme-Based Materials for Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a type of chronic inflammatory disorder that interferes with the patient's lifestyle and, in extreme situations, can be deadly. Fortunately, with the ever-deepening understanding of the pathological cause of IBD, recent studies using nanozyme-based materials have indicated the potential toward effective IBD treatment. In this review, the recent advancement of nanozymes for the treatment of enteritis is summarized from the perspectives of the structural design of nanozyme-based materials and therapeutic strategies, intending to serve as a reference to produce effective nanozymes for moderating inflammation in the future. Last but not least, the potential and current restrictions for using nanozymes in IBD will also be discussed. In short, this review may provide a guidance for the development of innovative enzyme-mimetic nanomaterials that offer a novel and efficient approach toward the effective treatment of IBD.

Development of nanozymes for promising alleviation of COVID-19-associated arthritis

The COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has been identified as a culprit in the development of a variety of disorders, including arthritis. Although the emergence of arthritis following SARS-CoV-2 infection may not be immediately discernible, its underlying pathogenesis is likely to involve a complex interplay of infections, oxidative stress, immune responses, abnormal production of inflammatory factors, cellular destruction, etc. Fortunately, recent advancements in nanozymes with enzyme-like activities have shown potent antiviral effects and the ability to inhibit oxidative stress and cytokines and provide immunotherapeutic effects while also safeguarding diverse cell populations. These adaptable nanozymes have already exhibited efficacy in treating common types of arthritis, and their distinctive synergistic therapeutic effects offer great potential in the fight against arthritis associated with COVID-19. In this comprehensive review, we explore the potential of nanozymes in alleviating arthritis following SARS-CoV-2 infection by neutralizing the underlying factors associated with the disease. We also provide a detailed analysis of the common therapeutic pathways employed by these nanozymes and offer insights into how they can be further optimized to effectively address COVID-19-associated arthritis.

Trimanganese Tetroxide Nanozyme protects Cartilage against Degeneration by Reducing Oxidative Stress in Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis, a chronic degenerative cartilage disease, is the leading cause of movement disorders among humans. Although the specific pathogenesis and associated mechanisms remain unclear, oxidative stress-induced metabolic imbalance in chondrocytes plays a crucial role in the occurrence and development of osteoarthritis. In this study, a trimanganese tetroxide (Mn3 O4 ) nanozyme with superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like and catalase (CAT)-like activities is designed to reduce oxidative stress-induced damage and its therapeutic effect is investigated. In vitro, Mn3 O4 nanozymes are confirmed to reprogram both the imbalance of metabolism in chondrocytes and the uncontrolled inflammatory response stimulated by hydrogen peroxide. In vivo, a cross-linked chondroitin sulfate (CS) hydrogel is designed as a substrate for Mn3 O4 nanozymes to treat osteoarthritis in mouse models. As a result, even in the early stage of OA (4 weeks), the therapeutic effect of the Mn3 O4 @CS hydrogel is observed in both cartilage metabolism and inflammation. Moreover, the Mn3 O4 @CS hydrogel maintained its therapeutic effects for at least 7 days, thus revealing a broad scope for future clinical applications. In conclusion, these results suggest that the Mn3 O4 @CS hydrogel is a potentially effective therapeutic treatment for osteoarthritis, and a novel therapeutic strategy for osteoarthritis based on nanozymes is proposed.

Highly biocompatible Ag nanocluster-reinforced wound dressing with long-term and synergistic bactericidal activity

Clinical application of antibiotic-free agents like silver nanoparticle-derived materials remains a critical challenge due to their limited long-term antibacterial activity and potential system toxicity. Herein, a highly biocompatible Ag nanocluster-reinforced hydrogel with enhanced synergistic antibacterial ability has been developed. Specifically, bioactive curcumin was incorporated into lysozyme-protected ultrasmall Ag nanoclusters (LC-AgNCs) and further integrated with sodium alginate (Sa) hydrogel (LC-AgNCs@Sa) through multiple interaction forces. Due to the synergistic antibacterial activity, LC-AgNCs could effectively kill both S. aureus and E. coli bacteria with a concentration down to 2.5 μg mL^-1. In-depth mechanism investigations revealed that the bactericidal effect of LC-AgNCs lies in their bacterial membrane destruction, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, glutathione depletion and prooxidant-antioxidant system disruption ability. Curcumin can mediate the intracellular ROS balance to protect NIH 3T3 cells from oxidative stress and improve the biocompatibility of LC-AgNCs@Sa. LC-AgNCs@Sa with long-term antibacterial ability can effectively protect the wound from bacterial invasion in vivo, and significantly accelerate the wound healing process due to their distinctive functions of inhibiting inflammatory factor (TNF-α) production, promoting collagen deposit and facilitating re-epithelization. This study provides a new, versatile strategy for the design of high-performance antibacterial dressing for broad infectious disease therapy.

A novel exposure mode based on UVA-LEDs for bacterial inactivation

As an emerging UV source, ultraviolet light-emitting diodes (UV-LEDs) are increasingly being used for disinfection purposes. UVA-LEDs have a higher output power, lower cost, and stronger penetration and cause less harm than UVC-LEDs. In this study, a novel exposure mode based on UVA was proposed and well demonstrated by various experiments using S. aureus as an indicator. Compared with single-dose exposure, fractionated exposure with a 15 min interval between treatments resulted in increased S. aureus inactivation. A longer interval or lower first irradiation dose was unfavorable for inactivation. Fractionated exposure changed the inactivation rate constant and eliminated the shoulder in the fluence-response curves. This resulted in changing the sensitivity of bacteria to UVA and improving bacterial inactivation. Moreover, the fractioned exposure mode has universality for various bacteria (including gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria). S. aureus was not reactivated by photoreactivation or dark repair after UVA treatment. As expected, the cells were damaged more seriously after fractionated exposure, further suggesting the advantages of this new exposure mode. In addition, the mechanism by which bacteria were inactivated after fractionated exposure was investigated, and it was found that •OH played an important role. A longer interval between treatments showed an adverse effect on inactivation, mainly due to the reduction of •OH and recovery of intracellular GSH. In summary, the current work provides novel ideas for the application of UVA-LEDs, which will give more choices for disinfection treatment.

Gold nanoparticles-embedded ceria with enhanced antioxidant activities for treating inflammatory bowel disease

The excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) is a hallmark associated with the initiation and progression of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which execrably form a vicious cycle of ROS and inflammation to continually promote disease progression. Here, the gold nanoparticles-embedded ceria nanoparticles (Au/CeO₂) with enhanced antioxidant activities are designed to block this cycle reaction for treating IBD by scavenging overproduced ROS. The Au/CeO₂ with core-shell and porous structure exhibits significantly higher enzymatic catalytic activities compared with commercial ceria nanoparticles, likely due to the effective exposure of catalytic sites, higher content of Ce (III) and oxygen vacancy, and accelerated reduction from Ce (IV) to Ce (III). Being coated with negatively-charged hyaluronic acid, the Au/CeO₂@HA facilitates accumulation in inflamed colon tissues via oral administration, reduces pro-inflammatory cytokines, and effectively alleviates colon injury in colitis mice. Overall, the Au/CeO₂@HA with good biocompatibility is a promising nano-therapeutic for treating IBD.

Multienzyme-Mimicking Au@Cu2O with Complete Antioxidant Capacity for Reactive Oxygen Species Scavenging

Most enzyme catalysts are unable to achieve effective oxidation resistance because of the monotonous mimicking function or production of secondary reactive oxygen species (ROS). Herein, the Au@Cu₂O heterostructure with multienzyme-like activities is deigned, which has significantly improved antioxidant capacity compared with pure Cu₂O for the scavenging of highly cell-damaging secondary ROS, i.e.,·OH. Experiments and theoretical calculations show that the heterostructure exhibits a built-in electric field and lattice mismatch at the metal-semiconductor interface, which facilitate to generate abundant oxygen vacancies, redox couples, and surface electron deficiency. On the one hand, the presence of rich oxygen vacancies and redox couple can enhance the adsorption and activation of oxygen-containing ROS (including O₂^·- and H₂O₂). On the other hand, the electron transfer between the electron-deficient Au@Cu₂O surface and electron donor would promote peroxide-like activity and avoid producing ·OH. Importantly, endogenous ·OH could be eliminated in both acidic and neutral conditions, which is no longer limited by the volatile physiological environment. Therefore, Au@Cu₂O can simulate superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) to form a complete antioxidant system. The deigned nanoenzyme is explored in the real sample world such as A549 cells and zebrafish. This work provides theoretical and practical strategies for the construction of a complete antioxidant enzyme system.

Structure design mechanisms and inflammatory disease applications of nanozymes

Nanozymes are artificial enzymes with high catalytic activity, low cost, and good biocompatibility, and have received ever-increasing attention in recent years. Various inorganic and organic nanoparticles have been found to exhibit enzyme-like activities and are used as nanozymes for diverse biomedical applications ranging from tumor imaging and therapeutics to detection. However, their further clinical applications are hindered by the potential toxicity and long-term retention of nanomaterials in vivo. Clarifying the catalytic mechanism of nanozymes and identifying the key factors responsible for their behavior can guide the design of nanozyme structure, enlighten the ways to improve their enzyme-like activities, and minimize the dosage of nanozymes, leading to reduced toxicity to the human body for a real biomedical application prospect. In particular, inflammation occurring in numerous diseases is closely related to reactive oxygen species, and the active oxygen scavenging ability of nanozymes potentially exerts excellent therapeutic effects on inflammatory diseases. In this review, we systematically summarize the structure-activity relationship of nanozymes, including regulation strategies for size and morphology, surface structure, and composition. Based on the structure-activity mechanisms, a series of chemically designed nanozymes developed to target various inflammatory diseases are briefly summarized.

A newly-designed free-standing NiCo2O4 nanosheet array as effective mediator to activate peroxymonosulfate for rapid degradation of emerging organic pollutant with high concentration

Nowadays effective treatment of high concentration organic wastewater is still a formidable task facing human beings. Herein, for the first time, a well-defined ZIF-67-derived NiCo₂O₄ nanosheet array was successfully prepared by a feasible method. In comparison with ordinary NiCo₂O₄ nanosphere, the formation of nanosheet structure could offer more opportunities to exposure internal active sites of NiCo₂O₄, thereby resulting in smaller interface resistance and higher charge transfer efficiency. As expected, ZIF-67-derived NiCo₂O₄ nanosheet array displayed great performance in peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation. More importantly, recyclable redox couples of Co³⁺/Co²⁺ and Ni³⁺/Ni²⁺ endowed the stable catalytic activity of NiCo₂O₄ nanosheet. Interestingly, developed NiCo₂O₄-1/PMS oxidation system could achieve the effective degradation of antibiotics with high concentration in a short time. Both radical and nonradical pathways were involved into PMS activation, wherein SO₄^-, OH, O₂^- and ¹O₂ were major reactive oxygen species. The formation paths of reactive oxygen species and effects of inorganic anions were also investigated. Electrochemical analyses revealed that NiCo₂O₄-1 with nanosheet structure mediated the electron transfer between PMS and tetracycline (TC), which played a vital role in TC degradation. Furthermore, developed NiCo₂O₄-1/PMS oxidation system displayed great removal ability towards TC in actual water samples, and degradation products were low toxicity or no toxicity. In short, current work not only developed an effective oxidation system for completing the rapid degradation of antibiotic with high concentration, but also shared some novel insights into the activation mechanism of SR-AOPs.

Nanozymes for Regenerative Medicine

Nanozymes refer to nanomaterials that catalyze enzyme substrates into products under relevant physiological conditions following enzyme kinetics. Compared to natural enzymes, nanozymes possess the characteristics of higher stability, easier preparation, and lower cost. Importantly, nanozymes possess the magnetic, fluorescent, and electrical properties of nanomaterials, making them promising replacements for natural enzymes in industrial, biological, and medical fields. On account of the rapid development of nanozymes recently, their application potentials in regeneration medicine are gradually being explored. To highlight the achievements in the regeneration medicine field, this review summarizes the catalytic mechanism of four types of representative nanozymes. Then, the strategies to improve the biocompatibility of nanozymes are discussed. Importantly, this review covers the recent advances in nanozymes in tissue regeneration medicine including wound healing, nerve defect repair, bone regeneration, and cardiovascular disease treatment. In addition, challenges and prospects of nanozyme researches in regeneration medicine are summarized.

Dietary soybeans worsen dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis by disrupting intestinal ecology

Food mediates susceptibility to inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) associated with the microbiome. Existing studies suggest that a high-sugar and high-fat diet promotes IBDs, but whether a plant-based diet is fully harmless to IBD improvement remains unknown. In this study, for the first time, we assessed the effect of soybean and its carbohydrates on dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis. In a DSS-induced colitis mouse model (BALB/C WT), the oral administration of soybeans worsened colitis, which was associated with higher disease activity index, histology score and expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and lower expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines. Here, 16S rRNA sequencing and elimination of gut bacteria by antibiotics showed that the exacerbating colitis caused by soybeans depends on the changes in the intestinal flora. Furthermore, the gavage of soybean carbohydrates such as sucrose and raffinose-family oligosaccharides altered the intestinal microbiota and worsened inflammation. When co-cultured with macrophages (RAW 264.7), the metabolites of the disordered intestinal flora, isolated Escherichia coli and purified LPS showed high macrophage toxicity to inhibit pathogen clearance. These results indicate that the intake of soybeans and soybean carbohydrates is not conducive to recovery from IBDs based on changes in gut microbiota and metabolites affecting the activities of macrophages.

Cold Exposure Induces Intestinal Barrier Damage and Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in the Colon via the SIRT1/Nrf2 Signaling Pathway

Ambient air temperature is a key factor affecting human health. Long-term exposure to a cold environment can cause various diseases, while the impact on the intestine, the organ which has the largest contact area with the external environment, cannot be ignored. In this study, we investigated the effect of chronic cold exposure on the colon and its preliminary mechanism of action. Mice were exposed to 4°C for 3 hours a day for 10 days. We found that cold exposure damaged the morphology and structure of the colon, destroyed the tight junctions of the colonic epithelial tissue, and promoted inflammation of the colon. At the same time, cold exposure also activated the unfolded protein response (UPR) in the colon and promoted apoptosis in intestinal epithelial cells. Chronic cold exposure induced oxidative stress in vivo, but also significantly enhanced the response of the Nrf2 pathway that promotes an anti-oxidant effect. Furthermore, we demonstrated that chronic cold exposure promoted p65 acetylation to aggravate the inflammatory response by inhibiting SIRT1. Similar results were observed following SIRT1 knock-down by shRNA in Caco-2 cells treated with Thapsigargin (Tg). Knock-down of SIRT1 promoted nuclear localization of Nrf2, and increased the level of Nrf2 acetylation. Taken together, our study indicates that cold exposure may aggravate endoplasmic reticulum stress and damage epithelial tight junctions in the colon by inhibiting SIRT1, which promotes nuclear localization of Nrf2 and induces an anti-oxidant response to maintain intestinal homeostasis. These findings suggest that SIRT1 is a potential target for regulating intestinal health under cold exposure conditions.