Abstract
Metal-carbon hybrid materials have shown promise as potential enzyme mimetics for antibacterial therapy; however, the effects of metal states and corresponding antibacterial mechanisms are largely unknown. Here, two kinds of copper/carbon nanozymes were designed, with tuned copper states from Cu0 to Cu2+. Results revealed that the copper/carbon nanozymes exhibited copper state-dependent peroxidase-, catalase-, and superoxide dismutase-like activities. Furthermore, the antibacterial activities were also primarily determined by the copper state. The different antibacterial mechanisms of these two copper/carbon nanozymes were also proposed. For the CuO-modified copper/carbon nanozymes, the released Cu2+ caused membrane damage, lipid peroxidation, and DNA degradation of Gram-negative bacteria, whereas, for Cu-modified copper/carbon nanozymes, the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) via peroxidase-like catalytic reactions was the determining factor against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Lastly, we established two bacterially infected animal models, i.e., bacteria-infected enteritis and wound healing, to confirm the antibacterial ability of the copper/carbon nanozymes. Our findings provide a deeper understanding of metal state-dependent enzyme-like and antibacterial activities and highlight a new approach for designing novel and selective antibacterial therapies based on metal-carbon nanozymes.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.