A black phosphorus (BP)‐based drug delivery system for synergistic photodynamic/photothermal/chemotherapy of cancer is constructed. As a 2D nanosheet, BP shows super high drug loading capacity and ...pH‐/photoresponsive drug release. The intrinsic photothermal and photodynamic effects of BP enhance the antitumor activities. The synergistic photodynamic/photothermal/chemotherapy makes BP‐based drug delivery system a multifunctional nanomedicine platform.
Transition‐metal dyshomeostasis is recognized as a critical pathogenic factor at the onset and progression of neurodegenerative disorder (ND). Excess transition‐metal ions such as Cu2+ can catalyze ...the generation of cytotoxic reactive oxygen species and thereafter induce neuronal cell apoptosis. Exploring new chelating agents, which are not only capable of capturing excess redox‐active metal, but can also cross the blood–brain barrier (BBB), are highly desired for ND therapy. Herein, it is demonstrated that 2D black phosphorus (BP) nanosheets can capture Cu2+ efficiently and selectively to protect neuronal cells from Cu2+‐induced neurotoxicity. Moreover, both in vitro and in vivo studies show that the BBB permeability of BP nanosheets is significantly improved under near‐infrared laser irradiation due to their strong photothermal effect, which overcomes the drawback of conventional chelating agents. Furthermore, the excellent biocompatibility and stability guarantee the biosafety of BP in future clinical applications. Therefore, these features make BP nanosheets have the great potential to work as an efficient neuroprotective nanodrug for ND therapy.
Black phosphorus (BP) nanosheets, having the capability of capturing Cu2+ efficiently and selectively, can not only act as an antioxidant to extenuate cellular oxidative stress and inhibit cell apoptosis, but also improve the blood–brain barrier permeability under near‐infrared laser irradiation through the photothermal effect. These properties of BP nanosheets make them an efficient neuroprotective nanodrug for neurodegenerative disorder therapy.
Nanodrug‐based cancer therapy has been actively developed in the past decades. The main challenges faced by nanodrugs include poor drug loading capacity, rapid clearance from blood circulation, and ...low antitumor efficiency with high risk of recurrence. In this work, red blood cell (RBC) membrane camouflaged hollow mesoporous Prussian blue nanoparticles (HMPB@RBC NPs) are fabricated for combination therapy of cancer. The stability, immune evading capacity, and blood retention time of HMPB@RBC NPs are significantly enhanced compared with those of bare HMPB NPs. Doxorubicin (DOX), as a model drug is encapsulated within HMPB@RBC NPs with loading capacity up to 130% in weight. In addition, DOX loaded HMPB@RBC NPs show pH‐/photoresponsive release. The in vivo studies demonstrate the outstanding performance of DOX@HMPB@RBC NPs in synergistic photothermal‐/chemotherapy of cancer.
Red blood cell (RBC) membrane camouflaged hollow mesoporous Prussian blue nanoparticles (HMPB@RBC NPs) are fabricated. With RBC membrane cloaking technique, the stability, immune evading, and blood retention time of HMPB@RBC NPs are significantly increased. Doxorubicin loaded HMPB@RBC NPs show pH‐/photoresponsive release properties. The in vivo studies demonstrate that HMPB@RBC NP is a stealthy system for synergistic photothermal‐/chemotherapy of cancer.
Fabrication of clinically translatable nanoparticles (NPs) as photothermal therapy (PTT) agents against cancer is becoming increasingly desirable, but still challenging, especially in facile and ...controllable synthesis of biocompatible NPs with high photothermal efficiency. A new strategy which uses protein as both a template and a sulfur provider is proposed for facile, cost‐effective, and large‐scale construction of biocompatible metal sulfide NPs with controlled structure and high photothermal efficiency. Upon mixing proteins and metal ions under alkaline conditions, the metal ions can be rapidly coordinated via a biuret‐reaction like process. In the presence of alkali, the inert disulfide bonds of S‐rich proteins can be activated to react with metal ions and generate metal sulfide NPs under gentle conditions. As a template, the protein can confine and regulate the nucleation and growth of the metal sulfide NPs within the protein formed cavities. Thus, the obtained metal sulfides such as Ag2S, Bi2S3, CdS, and CuS NPs are all with small size and coated with proteins, affording them biocompatible surfaces. As a model material, CuS NPs are evaluated as a PTT agent for cancer treatment. They exhibit high photothermal efficiency, high stability, water solubility, and good biocompatibility, making them an excellent PTT agent against tumors. This work paves a new avenue toward the synthesis of structure‐controlled and biocompatible metal sulfide NPs, which can find wide applications in biomedical fields.
Metal sulfide nanoparticles (NPs) with ultrasmall size, and good biocompatibility are facilely obtained via alkali‐driven transformation of S‐rich protein–metal complexes. Proteins work as both a sulfur resource and a template, where disulfide bonds are activated to react with metal ions and form metal sulfide NPs in situ, which are proved to be an excellent theranostic platform for cancer therapy.
With black phosphorus (BP) as an example, the first two-dimensional (2D) semiconductor based sonosensitizer (Au@BP nanohybrids) was fabricated. Under ultrasound irradiation, Au@BP nanohybrids can ...generate
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in deep tissues and eradicate tumors with high efficacy. This platform paves the way for the application of 2D semiconductors in sonodynamic cancer therapy.
In recent decades, a number of functional nanomaterials have attracted a great amount of attention and exhibited excellent performance for biomedical and pharmaceutical applications ...
In recent years, significant advancements have been made in the research of photoswitchable probes. These probes undergo reversible structural and electronic changes upon light exposure, thus ...exhibiting vast potential in molecular detection, biological imaging, material science, and information storage. Through precisely engineered molecular structures, the photoswitchable probes can toggle between “on” and “off” states at specific wavelengths, enabling highly sensitive and selective detection of targeted analytes. This review systematically presents photoswitchable fluorescent and colorimetric probes built on various molecular photoswitches, primarily focusing on the types involving photoswitching in their detection and/or signal response processes. It begins with an analysis of various molecular photoswitches, including their photophysical properties, photoisomerization and photochromic mechanisms, and fundamental design concepts for constructing photoswitchable probes. The article then elaborates on the applications of these probes in detecting diverse targets, including cations, anions, small molecules, and biomacromolecules. Finally, it offers perspectives on the current state and future development of photoswitchable probes. This review aims to provide a clear introduction for researchers in the field and guidance for the design and application of new, efficient fluorescent and colorimetric probes.
Formaldehyde, a ubiquitous indoor air pollutant, plays a significant role in various biological processes, posing both environmental and health challenges. This comprehensive review delves into the ...latest advancements in electrochemical methods for detecting formaldehyde, a compound of growing concern due to its widespread use and potential health hazards. This review underscores the inherent advantages of electrochemical techniques, such as high sensitivity, selectivity, and capability for real-time analysis, making them highly effective for formaldehyde monitoring. We explore the fundamental principles, mechanisms, and diverse methodologies employed in electrochemical formaldehyde detection, highlighting the role of innovative sensing materials and electrodes. Special attention is given to recent developments in nanotechnology and sensor design, which significantly enhance the sensitivity and selectivity of these detection systems. Moreover, this review identifies current challenges and discusses future research directions. Our aim is to encourage ongoing research and innovation in this field, ultimately leading to the development of advanced, practical solutions for formaldehyde detection in various environmental and biological contexts.
Biomimetic nanothylakoids, which are constructed from the thylakoid membrane of vegetable leaves, show high efficiency in tumor microenvironment modulation and photodynamic antitumor therapy under ...near infrared fluorescence guidance. Furthermore, their outstanding biosafety, facile preparation and low cost make nanothylakoids suitable for further clinical applications.
In the fight against pathogenic bacteria, traditional antibiotic therapy is challenged by low efficiency and drug resistance. These drawbacks motivate the development of synergistic antibacterial ...therapy, but there is a lack of efficient synergistic platforms. Herein, with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) as a pathogenic bacterial model, we explored the potential of black phosphorus (BP) as a synergistic therapeutic platform for drug resistant bacterial infection. Acting as a substrate, reductant and stabilizer, BP nanosheets were decorated with Ag nanoparticles (NP) through an in situ growth strategy. The photothermal effect of the BP nanosheets allows Ag@BP nanohybrids to rapidly disrupt a bacterial membrane under near infrared (NIR) light irradiation. Moreover, the slowly released Ag
elevates oxidative stress and sustainably suppresses bacterial proliferation for a long time. The combination of these two aspects endows the Ag@BP nanohybrids with synergistically enhanced antibacterial performance. Different from traditional antibiotics, the antibacterial effects of the Ag@BP nanohybrids are independent of the bacterial structure, which bypasses the issue of drug resistance. The in vivo studies show that the Ag@BP nanohybrids efficiently decrease the MRSA bacterial burden in mice and minimize infection associated tissue lesions. Besides, the excellent biocompatibility of the Ag@BP nanohybrids guarantees their biosafety for future clinical applications. Accordingly, this work demonstrates the potential of the BP nanosheets in the synergistic antibacterial therapy against drug resistant bacteria, and paves the way for developing 2D semiconductor based synergistic antibacterial nanodrugs.
