High electron transfer efficiency accordion-shaped HNiZn heterostructure nanozyme for low-temperature photo-catalytic enhanced therapy of bacterial infection wounds

Bacterial and drug-resistant bacterial infections pose significant challenges to the treatment of skin wounds. Among various non-antibiotic strategies, nanozymes which mimic the activities of natural bioenzymes and possess broad-spectrum antibacterial properties, hold promise for antibacterial thera...

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Main Authors: Hanjie Wang, Xinqi Guo, Ying Tan, Junxu Yang, Yuting Ye, Miao Mo, Yanling Liang, Guanhua Li, Zhangrui Huang, Li Zheng, Xiaofei Ding, Jingping Zhong, Jinmin Zhao
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-10-01
Series:Materials Today Bio
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590006425006672
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author Hanjie Wang
Xinqi Guo
Ying Tan
Junxu Yang
Yuting Ye
Miao Mo
Yanling Liang
Guanhua Li
Zhangrui Huang
Li Zheng
Xiaofei Ding
Jingping Zhong
Jinmin Zhao
author_facet Hanjie Wang
Xinqi Guo
Ying Tan
Junxu Yang
Yuting Ye
Miao Mo
Yanling Liang
Guanhua Li
Zhangrui Huang
Li Zheng
Xiaofei Ding
Jingping Zhong
Jinmin Zhao
author_sort Hanjie Wang
collection DOAJ
description Bacterial and drug-resistant bacterial infections pose significant challenges to the treatment of skin wounds. Among various non-antibiotic strategies, nanozymes which mimic the activities of natural bioenzymes and possess broad-spectrum antibacterial properties, hold promise for antibacterial therapy in infected wounds. However, the catalytic activity and biosafety of most current nanozymes remain insufficient to meet clinical requirements. Herein, we innovatively synthesized novel heterostructured nanozymes (HNiZn) comprising Ni4N/Ni3ZnC0.7 embedded in accordion-shaped nitrogen-doped carbon using a simple molten-salt pyrolysis method. Combined with injectable hyaluronic acid (HA) as a carrier, these nanozymes facilitate low-temperature (43.5 °C) photocatalytic and photothermal therapy for bacterially infected wounds. Based on density functional theory (DFT) calculations, the Ni4N/Ni3ZnC0.7 heterostructured nanozymes exhibit richer electron cloud distribution, stronger interactions between heterogeneous atoms, lower electron escape work function, stronger adsorption energy for free radicals, and electron transfer efficiency than individual Ni4N or Ni3ZnC0.7 phases, resulting in efficient peroxidase (POD)-like and glutathione peroxidase (GPx)-like activities. Additionally, HNiZn exhibits a high photothermal conversion efficiency (51.01 %) under near infrared (NIR) irradiation. Through combined photocatalytic and photothermal effects, it effectively kills Escherichia coli (E. coli), clinically isolated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and their biofilms. Mechanistic studies using metabolomics analysis revealed that HNiZn induces bacterial apoptosis by disrupting bacterial biosynthesis and metabolism, affecting the cell cycle, and perturbing redox balance. In vivo experiments further confirmed the favorable biosafety and antibacterial efficacy of HNiZn, which promoted skin wound healing. This study provides a novel strategy for constructing effective nanozymes and treating bacterial infections.
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spelling doaj-art-29f4c443529346e891a01b26aa0dff332025-08-20T02:50:27ZengElsevierMaterials Today Bio2590-00642025-10-013410209710.1016/j.mtbio.2025.102097High electron transfer efficiency accordion-shaped HNiZn heterostructure nanozyme for low-temperature photo-catalytic enhanced therapy of bacterial infection woundsHanjie Wang0Xinqi Guo1Ying Tan2Junxu Yang3Yuting Ye4Miao Mo5Yanling Liang6Guanhua Li7Zhangrui Huang8Li Zheng9Xiaofei Ding10Jingping Zhong11Jinmin Zhao12Guangxi Engineering Center in Biomedical Material for Tissue and Organ Regeneration, Collaborative Innovation Centre of Regenerative Medicine and Medical BioResource Development and Application Coconstructed By the Province and Ministry, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, No. 6 Shuangyong Road, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, PR China; Life Sciences Institute, Guangxi Medical University, No. 22 Shuangyong Road, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, PR ChinaGuangxi Engineering Center in Biomedical Material for Tissue and Organ Regeneration, Collaborative Innovation Centre of Regenerative Medicine and Medical BioResource Development and Application Coconstructed By the Province and Ministry, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, No. 6 Shuangyong Road, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, PR China; Department of Orthopaedics Trauma and Hand Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, No. 6 Shuangyong Road, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, PR ChinaGuangxi Engineering Center in Biomedical Material for Tissue and Organ Regeneration, Collaborative Innovation Centre of Regenerative Medicine and Medical BioResource Development and Application Coconstructed By the Province and Ministry, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, No. 6 Shuangyong Road, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, PR ChinaGuangxi Engineering Center in Biomedical Material for Tissue and Organ Regeneration, Collaborative Innovation Centre of Regenerative Medicine and Medical BioResource Development and Application Coconstructed By the Province and Ministry, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, No. 6 Shuangyong Road, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, PR China; Department of Orthopaedics Trauma and Hand Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, No. 6 Shuangyong Road, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, PR ChinaGuangxi Engineering Center in Biomedical Material for Tissue and Organ Regeneration, Collaborative Innovation Centre of Regenerative Medicine and Medical BioResource Development and Application Coconstructed By the Province and Ministry, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, No. 6 Shuangyong Road, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, PR ChinaGuangxi Engineering Center in Biomedical Material for Tissue and Organ Regeneration, Collaborative Innovation Centre of Regenerative Medicine and Medical BioResource Development and Application Coconstructed By the Province and Ministry, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, No. 6 Shuangyong Road, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, PR ChinaGuangxi Engineering Center in Biomedical Material for Tissue and Organ Regeneration, Collaborative Innovation Centre of Regenerative Medicine and Medical BioResource Development and Application Coconstructed By the Province and Ministry, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, No. 6 Shuangyong Road, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, PR ChinaGuangxi Engineering Center in Biomedical Material for Tissue and Organ Regeneration, Collaborative Innovation Centre of Regenerative Medicine and Medical BioResource Development and Application Coconstructed By the Province and Ministry, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, No. 6 Shuangyong Road, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, PR China; Department of Orthopaedics Trauma and Hand Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, No. 6 Shuangyong Road, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, PR ChinaGuangxi Engineering Center in Biomedical Material for Tissue and Organ Regeneration, Collaborative Innovation Centre of Regenerative Medicine and Medical BioResource Development and Application Coconstructed By the Province and Ministry, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, No. 6 Shuangyong Road, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, PR China; Life Sciences Institute, Guangxi Medical University, No. 22 Shuangyong Road, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, PR ChinaGuangxi Engineering Center in Biomedical Material for Tissue and Organ Regeneration, Collaborative Innovation Centre of Regenerative Medicine and Medical BioResource Development and Application Coconstructed By the Province and Ministry, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, No. 6 Shuangyong Road, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, PR China; Life Sciences Institute, Guangxi Medical University, No. 22 Shuangyong Road, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, PR China; Corresponding author. Guangxi Engineering Center in Biomedical Material for Tissue and Organ Regeneration, Collaborative Innovation Centre of Regenerative Medicine and Medical BioResource Development and Application Coconstructed By the Province and Ministry, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, No. 6 Shuangyong Road, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, PR China.Guangxi Engineering Center in Biomedical Material for Tissue and Organ Regeneration, Collaborative Innovation Centre of Regenerative Medicine and Medical BioResource Development and Application Coconstructed By the Province and Ministry, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, No. 6 Shuangyong Road, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, PR China; Department of Orthopaedics Trauma and Hand Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, No. 6 Shuangyong Road, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, PR China; Corresponding author. Life Sciences Institute, Guangxi Medical University, No. 22 Shuangyong Road, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, PR China.Guangxi Engineering Center in Biomedical Material for Tissue and Organ Regeneration, Collaborative Innovation Centre of Regenerative Medicine and Medical BioResource Development and Application Coconstructed By the Province and Ministry, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, No. 6 Shuangyong Road, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, PR China; Corresponding author.Guangxi Engineering Center in Biomedical Material for Tissue and Organ Regeneration, Collaborative Innovation Centre of Regenerative Medicine and Medical BioResource Development and Application Coconstructed By the Province and Ministry, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, No. 6 Shuangyong Road, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, PR China; Department of Orthopaedics Trauma and Hand Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, No. 6 Shuangyong Road, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, PR ChinaBacterial and drug-resistant bacterial infections pose significant challenges to the treatment of skin wounds. Among various non-antibiotic strategies, nanozymes which mimic the activities of natural bioenzymes and possess broad-spectrum antibacterial properties, hold promise for antibacterial therapy in infected wounds. However, the catalytic activity and biosafety of most current nanozymes remain insufficient to meet clinical requirements. Herein, we innovatively synthesized novel heterostructured nanozymes (HNiZn) comprising Ni4N/Ni3ZnC0.7 embedded in accordion-shaped nitrogen-doped carbon using a simple molten-salt pyrolysis method. Combined with injectable hyaluronic acid (HA) as a carrier, these nanozymes facilitate low-temperature (43.5 °C) photocatalytic and photothermal therapy for bacterially infected wounds. Based on density functional theory (DFT) calculations, the Ni4N/Ni3ZnC0.7 heterostructured nanozymes exhibit richer electron cloud distribution, stronger interactions between heterogeneous atoms, lower electron escape work function, stronger adsorption energy for free radicals, and electron transfer efficiency than individual Ni4N or Ni3ZnC0.7 phases, resulting in efficient peroxidase (POD)-like and glutathione peroxidase (GPx)-like activities. Additionally, HNiZn exhibits a high photothermal conversion efficiency (51.01 %) under near infrared (NIR) irradiation. Through combined photocatalytic and photothermal effects, it effectively kills Escherichia coli (E. coli), clinically isolated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and their biofilms. Mechanistic studies using metabolomics analysis revealed that HNiZn induces bacterial apoptosis by disrupting bacterial biosynthesis and metabolism, affecting the cell cycle, and perturbing redox balance. In vivo experiments further confirmed the favorable biosafety and antibacterial efficacy of HNiZn, which promoted skin wound healing. This study provides a novel strategy for constructing effective nanozymes and treating bacterial infections.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590006425006672NanozymesHeterojunctionBacterial infectionReactive oxygen speciesPhotothermal therapy
spellingShingle Hanjie Wang
Xinqi Guo
Ying Tan
Junxu Yang
Yuting Ye
Miao Mo
Yanling Liang
Guanhua Li
Zhangrui Huang
Li Zheng
Xiaofei Ding
Jingping Zhong
Jinmin Zhao
High electron transfer efficiency accordion-shaped HNiZn heterostructure nanozyme for low-temperature photo-catalytic enhanced therapy of bacterial infection wounds
Materials Today Bio
Nanozymes
Heterojunction
Bacterial infection
Reactive oxygen species
Photothermal therapy
title High electron transfer efficiency accordion-shaped HNiZn heterostructure nanozyme for low-temperature photo-catalytic enhanced therapy of bacterial infection wounds
title_full High electron transfer efficiency accordion-shaped HNiZn heterostructure nanozyme for low-temperature photo-catalytic enhanced therapy of bacterial infection wounds
title_fullStr High electron transfer efficiency accordion-shaped HNiZn heterostructure nanozyme for low-temperature photo-catalytic enhanced therapy of bacterial infection wounds
title_full_unstemmed High electron transfer efficiency accordion-shaped HNiZn heterostructure nanozyme for low-temperature photo-catalytic enhanced therapy of bacterial infection wounds
title_short High electron transfer efficiency accordion-shaped HNiZn heterostructure nanozyme for low-temperature photo-catalytic enhanced therapy of bacterial infection wounds
title_sort high electron transfer efficiency accordion shaped hnizn heterostructure nanozyme for low temperature photo catalytic enhanced therapy of bacterial infection wounds
topic Nanozymes
Heterojunction
Bacterial infection
Reactive oxygen species
Photothermal therapy
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590006425006672
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