Triple-synergistic MOF-nanozyme for efficient antibacterial treatment

The abuse of antibiotics makes bacterial infection an increasingly serious global health threat. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are the ideal alternative antibacterial approach for quick and effective sterilization. Although various antibacterial strategies based on ROS have been developed, many of them are still limited by insufficient antibacterial efficiency. Here, we have developed an acid-enhanced dual-modal antibacterial strategy based on zeolitic imidazolate frameworks-8 (ZIF8) -derived nanozyme. ZIF8, which can release Zn2+, is chosen as the carrier to integrate glucose oxidase (GOx) and gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) which can produce ROS via a cascade catalytic reaction. Thus, the bactericidal capability of ROS and Zn2+ have been integrated. More importantly, gluconic acid, a by-product of the catalytic reaction, can generate an acidic environment to promote both the ROS-producing and Zn2+-releasing, enhancing the overall antibacterial performance further. This triple-synergistic strategy exhibits extraordinary bactericidal ability at a low dosage of 4 mu g/mL (for S. aureus) and 8 mu g/mL (for E. coli), which shows a great potential of MOF-derived nanozyme for efficient bacterial eradication and diverse biomedical applications.

Automated summary

The abuse of antibiotics has led to bacterial infections becoming a serious global health threat. In this study, an acid-enhanced dual-modal antibacterial strategy based on zeolitic imidazolate frameworks-8 (ZIF8)-derived nanozyme was developed. This strategy integrates the bactericidal capabilities of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and Zn2+ release, and further enhances the overall antibacterial performance by creating an acidic environment.