A Type of Metal-Tannin Nanoparticles: Featuring Oxidative Antibacterial Effects Applied in Wound Healing

Abstract

The number of people who die annually due to wound infections globally is not insignificant, hence there is an urgent need to find an inexpensive and efficient antibacterial and anti-inflammatory therapy. Metal-tannin complexes combine the advantages of coordination polymers and high metal content, and their simple processing, good biocompatibility, as well as the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties brought about by polyphenolic substances, have attracted widespread attention. Here, we utilize the sol-gel chemistry principles of formaldehyde-assisted metal-tannin crosslinking to synthesize Metal-TA nanoparticles for wound treatment. These nanoparticles release high concentrations of metal ions in weakly alkaline environments, and under stimulation from high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the wound, undergo a Fenton-like reaction to produce •OH, thereby exerting antibacterial effects on the wound.