Prospecting Carbon-Based Nanomaterials for Harnessing Multienzyme-Like Activities

Abstract

Nanozymes (NZs), or nanostructures exhibiting enzyme mimicking exertion, have drawn a lot of attention recently owing to their ability to substitute enzymes that are naturally occurring in an array of bio-medical applications, notably biological detection, therapeutics, pharmaceutical administration, as well as biological imaging. In comparison to single enzymatic NZs, multi-enzymatic NZs have additional benefits, especially improved selectivity, a more favorable ecological impact, and synergistic effects. In contrast, the catalytic mechanism and rational design of multi-enzymatic NZs are more complex than those of single enzymatic NZs, which have simple catalytic mechanisms. NZs that can regulate cellular redox equilibrium by emulating the antioxidant enzymes in cells are particularly crucial towards alleviating ailments induced on by cellular oxidative stress. Carbonaceous materials i.e. graphene, fullerenes, quantum dots, carbon nano-sheets, nano-rods, MOFs etc. demonstrated peroxidase (POD), oxidase (OXD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT)-like functioning in a range of domains on the basis of oxidation mitigation mechanisms employing electron transport channels. Furthermore, integrating a couple of hetero-atoms to carbon-based materials enhanced their efficacy in various industries. NZs derived from bioactive materials demonstrate catalytic properties similar to those of enzymes. Bioactive material-based NZs are essential because of their unique catalytic properties, which surpass the efficiency, selectivity, and flexibility of traditional catalysts moreover, offering a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional precursors in catalysis. Their surfaces can be precisely modified, opening up new possibilities for selective and green synthetic techniques. Bioactive materials-based NZs have exceptional biological activity and compatibility in the field of medicine, thus rendering them useful instruments for both diagnosis and therapy. Due to their innate capacity to imitate the catalytic functions of natural enzymes, they can be utilized to develop intricate bio-sensors, precise drug delivery systems, and extremely sensitive diagnostic platforms. Moreover, low cytotoxicity of these materials facilitates the easier integration of chemicals into biological systems. This review provided an overview of the multi-enzymatic activities of rationally designed carbon-based NMs, both the internal and external variables that regulate the multi-enzymatic enzymes endeavours, and current advancements in application areas which benefit from multi-enzymatic distinctive characteristics. Prospective uses and development of multi-enzymatic carbon-based NZs might confront multiple challenges. This review aims to stimulate and improve our understanding of multi-enzymatic carbon-based processes to a greater extent.

Graphical Abstract