Nanozymes and their emerging applications in biomedicine

Researchers not only introduced different types of nanozymes but also revealed many different unknown characteristics of nanomaterials that can lead to upcoming discoveries in many fields of research from cancer therapy to ultra-trace detection. Nanozymes have exclusive properties such as enzymatic activity, biocompatibility and high surface-to-volume ratio. These abilities provide them with appropriate uses in target detection, ensuring the wide examination of biosensing structures. Optical, optoelectronic, electrochemical, and mechanical technologies can help to optimize the properties of nanozymes, offering them as ideal candidates for biological analyses, cancer therapy, pathogen elimination, biosensing/bioimaging, etc. Recently, a wide variety of new enzyme-based biosensors have been introduced for specific detection of metal ions, proteins, biomolecules, and microorganisms, along with eco-environmental applications, wastewater treatment, photodynamic therapy, cancer theranostics, etc. However, finding optimal synthesis/reaction conditions and improving biosafety/biocompatibility (toxicological assessments) as well as enhancing catalytic performances and designing multifunctional nanozymes are among crucial challenges. In this context, large-scale production/commercialization, in-depth safety assessments should be significant for future research. Herein, the most recent advancements pertaining to the biomedical applications of metal-/metal oxide-, carbon-, MXene-, and metal-organic framework (MOF)-based nanozymes are deliberated, focusing on their classifications, properties, and biomedical potentials.