Auriferous nanozymes: advances in diagnostic and therapeutic applications

Abstract

Nanozymes are a group of nanomaterials that garnered significant attention due to their enzyme-mimicking properties and their catalytic activities comparable to those of natural enzymes. The ability of nanozymes to emulate crucial biological processes which can conquer the drawbacks of natural enzymes, such as their restricted thermostability as well as substrate range. Auriferous (gold) nanozymes possess remarkable enzyme-like properties, such as reductase, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, oxidase, and catalase. This characteristic makes them a strong competitor for possible applications in the fields of biomedicine as well as biochemical analysis, especially when compared to natural enzymes, along with their simple manufacturing, adaptable features, biocompatibility, and affordability. This review evaluates the factors that affect the catalytic activity of auriferous nanozymes. We offer a thorough investigation of their diagnostic applications, including detecting cancer, microorganisms, glucose, cysteine, and uric acid. Furthermore, we delve into the applications of gold nanozyme in therapeutics including chemodynamic therapy, radiotherapy, and photothermal therapy. In contrast to previous review, our review highlights various advantages of auriferous nanozymes in diagnostics and therapies and provides novel insights into the diverse applications of gold nanozymes encompassing current research studies.