Metal–phenolic network-enhanced curcumin nanoparticles for synergistic antibacterial and wound healing therapy

To develop a multifunctional curcumin-based self-assembled nanomedicine for antibacterial purposes and to provide substantial support for the development of novel multifunctional antibacterial agents, thereby mitigating the challenges posed by bacterial infections. Self-assembled curcumin nanoparticles (Cur NPs) were synthesized via solvent evaporation. Caffeic acid (CA) and iron ions were then reacted under mildly alkaline conditions (pH 8.0) to form metal-phenolic networks (MPNs), which were coated onto the Cur NPs (Cur@MPN). Efficient antibacterial performance is achieved by multifunctional Cur@MPN through spatiotemporally synergistic integration of photothermal therapy, chemodynamic therapy, and drug treatment. The results obtained from TEM, UV-vis spectroscopy, FTIR, and XPS confirmed the successful preparation of a multifunctional nano-antibacterial material, Cur@MPN, by modifying Cur NPs with MPNs through a coordination reaction between CA and iron ions. Cur@MPN exhibited excellent photothermal conversion efficiency (64.1%), pH-dependent hydroxyl radical (·OH) generation, and glutathione consumption. The minimum inhibitory concentration of Cur@MPN against<i>S. aureus</i>and<i>E. coli</i>was 100<i>μ</i>g ml^-1and 120<i>μ</i>g ml^-1, respectively, under the synergistic effect of multiple modalities.<i>In vivo</i>studies suggested that Cur@MPN accelerates wound healing by promoting angiogenesis and collagen deposition. These findings suggest that Cur@MPN is a promising innovative multifunctional self-assembled nanomaterial with considerable potential for antibacterial therapy and wound healing.