Catalytic antimicrobial therapy using nanozymes

Wiley Interdiscip Rev Nanomed Nanobiotechnol. 2022 Mar;14(2):e1769. doi: 10.1002/wnan.1769. Epub 2021 Dec 22.

Abstract

Nanozymes are nanomaterials with enzyme-like characteristics, which catalyze the conversion of enzyme substrates and follow enzymatic kinetics under physiological conditions. As a new generation of artificial enzymes, nanozymes provide alternative approaches for those upon enzymatic catalysis. Compared with natural enzymes, nanozymes have the advantages of simple preparation, good stability and low cost, which makes nanozymes promising for application in many fields, such as antimicrobial infection treatment. Many studies have reported that nanozymes are capable of killing a number of pathogenic bacteria with resistance, fungi as well as viruses, and have shown great curative effects for diseases caused by these pathogens. Herein, we summarize the application of nanozymes for antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal therapies and outline the issues needing resolution in the future. This article is categorized under: Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Infectious Disease.

Keywords: antibacterial; antifungal; antiviral; catalytic therapy; nanozymes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Anti-Infective Agents* / therapeutic use
  • Catalysis
  • Nanomedicine
  • Nanostructures* / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Anti-Infective Agents