Fabrication of Zinc-Tryptophan Nanoassemblies for Antibacterial and Wound Healing Applications

Abstract

Wound healing is a complex process often hindered by factors, including infection, oxidative stress, and inflammation, particularly in chronic wounds. Zinc (Zn) has therapeutic potential due to its antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. Similarly, the amino acid tryptophan (W) plays a crucial role in protein synthesis for tissue repair. Herein, we developed zinc-tryptophan (Zn-W) nanosheet assemblies with enhanced multifunctional properties, demonstrating a versatile biomedical application: antioxidant, antibacterial, antibiofilm, and wound-healing. Detailed characterization studies were performed for the newly synthesized Zn-W nanoassemblies. In vitro assays revealed potent antibacterial and antibiofilm activities against both Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) and Gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus subtilis), while antioxidant assays confirmed significant free radical scavenging ability. In vivo wound models showed that Zn-W treatment markedly accelerated the tissue regeneration. These results highlight Zn-W nanoassemblies as promising therapeutics for managing infected and chronic wounds, combining the benefits of Zn and W while overcoming their individual limitations. © 2025 American Chemical Society.