ROS Balance Autoregulating Core–Shell CeO2@ZIF-8/Au Nanoplatform for Wound Repair

Abstract Reactive oxygen species (ROS) plays important roles in living organisms. While ROS is a double-edged sword, which can eliminate drug-resistant bacteria, but excessive levels can cause oxidative damage to cells. A core–shell nanozyme, CeO 2 @ZIF-8/Au, has been crafted, spontaneously activating both ROS generating and scavenging functions, achieving the multi-faceted functions of eliminating bacteria, reducing inflammation, and promoting wound healing. The Au Nanoparticles (NPs) on the shell exhibit high-efficiency peroxidase-like activity, producing ROS to kill bacteria. Meanwhile, the encapsulation of CeO 2 core within ZIF-8 provides a seal for temporarily limiting the superoxide dismutase and catalase-like activities of CeO 2 nanoparticles. Subsequently, as the ZIF-8 structure decomposes in the acidic microenvironment, the CeO 2 core is gradually released, exerting its ROS scavenging activity to eliminate excess ROS produced by the Au NPs. These two functions automatically and continuously regulate the balance of ROS levels, ultimately achieving the function of killing bacteria, reducing inflammation, and promoting wound healing. Such innovative ROS spontaneous regulators hold immense potential for revolutionizing the field of antibacterial agents and therapies.