In Situ Self-Assembled Phytopolyphenol-Coordinated Nanoagents for Healing Bacterial Infections and Inhibiting Inflammation via Photothermal Therapy

Pathogenic bacterial infections, which can perpetuate a harmful cycle of inflammation and hinder wound healing. Consequently, constructing a multifunctional strategy that can both eradicate bacteria and alleviate excessive inflammation holds great significance for wound healing. Herein, this study developed multifunctional metal-phenolic nanopreparations (Quer-Fe NPs). Through the one-pot coordination of quercetin (Quer) and Fe, Quer-Fe NPs possess outstanding photothermal properties and reactive oxygen species scavenging capability. After the photothermal destruction of the biofilm, Quer-Fe NPs can ultimately exhibit good broad-spectrum antibacterial effects against <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> (99.23%), <i>Escherichia coli</i> (90.34%), and <i>Candida albicans</i> (72.62%). RNA sequencing indicates that under the photothermal treatment of Quer-Fe NPs, it can interfere with the bacterial metabolic process and genetic material repair process, affect bacterial proliferation and biofilm diffusion, thereby achieving excellent antibacterial outcomes. Additionally, Quer-Fe NPs can also upregulate the anti-inflammatory genes and downregulate the pro-inflammatory genes in macrophages, and promote the polarization of macrophages from M1 to M2 to relieve inflammation. The in vivo wound healing treatment experiment demonstrates that this nanoformulation can accelerate the wound healing process. In this groundbreaking study, an ingeniously contrived minimalist methodology was formulated to synthesize multifunctional metal-phenolic nanozymes. These nanozymes incorporate highly efficacious photothermal antibacterial activity, bacterium-ensnaring capabilities, along with anti-inflammatory attributes, thereby spotlighting their prodigious potential in the remediation of bacterial infections.