Antibacterial Effects and Mechanisms of Plasma-Activated Water: Recent Advances in Medical Research

等离子体活化水(plasma-activated water, PAW)是一种使用常压冷等离子体处理的水或溶液，PAW作为一种新型杀菌技术，已被证实是高效、环保且对多种微生物无耐药性的。本文综述了等离子体活化水的杀菌作用，包括对多种细菌、病毒、真菌等微生物的杀灭效果及其影响因素，并探讨了其杀菌机制，主要涉及氧化应激、酸化作用、物理效应等方面。PAW凭借其高效、无耐药性及安全性优势，在院内感染防控、创面处理及医疗器械灭菌等医学场景展现出重要应用价值，其临床转化研究将成为未来重点方向。Plasma-activated water (PAW), generated by treating water or aqueous solutions with atmospheric cold plasma under ambient conditions, has emerged as a novel disinfection technology. PAW has been demonstrated to be highly effective, environmentally friendly, and non-inductive of microbial resistance against a broad spectrum of pathogens. This review systematically summarizes the antibacterial effects of PAW, including its microbicidal efficacy against diverse microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, and fungi) and key influencing factors. Furthermore, the underlying bactericidal mechanisms are elucidated, focusing on oxidative stress, acidification effects, and physical interactions. Notably, PAW exhibits significant potential for medical applications such as hospital-acquired infection control, wound management, and medical device sterilization, owing to its high efficiency, absence of resistance development, and biosafety. Future research should prioritize clinical translation studies to advance its practical implementation in healthcare settings.