Infectious diseases caused by bacterial invasions have imposed a significant global health and economic burden. More worryingly, multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogenic bacteria born under the abuse of antibiotics have further escalated the status quo. Nowadays, at the crossroads of multiple disciplines such as chemistry, nanoscience and biomedicine, nanozymes, as enzyme-mimicking nanomaterials, not only possess excellent bactericidal ability but also reduce the possibility of inducing resistance. Thus, nanozymes are promising to serve as an alternative to traditional antibiotics. Nanozymes that mimic peroxidase (POD) activity are also known as POD nanozymes. In recent years, POD nanozymes have become one of the most frequently reported and effective nanozymes due to their broad-spectrum bactericidal properties and unique sterilization mechanism. In this review, we introduce the mechanism as well as the classification of POD nanozymes. More importantly, to further improve the antibacterial efficacy of POD nanozymes, we elaborate on three aspects: (1) improving the physicochemical properties; (2) regulating the catalytic microenvironment; and (3) designing multimodel POD nanozymes. In addition, we review the nanosafety of POD nanozymes for discussing their potential toxicity. Finally, the remaining challenges of POD nanozymes and possible future directions are discussed. This work provides a systematic summary of POD nanozymes and hopefully contributes to the early clinical translation.

This review introduces gallic-acid hydrogels, covering their crosslinking mechanisms, physicochemical properties, synthesis methods, and biomedical applications, aiming to provide inspiration for the design of multifunctional polyphenol hydrogels.

Odontogenic stem cells originate from cranial neural crest cells and offer unique advantages in the regeneration of dentin-pulp complex. There is increasing evidence that stem cells exert their biological functions mainly through exosome-based paracrine effects. Exosomes contain DNA, RNA, proteins, metabolites, etc., which can play a role in intercellular communication and have similar therapeutic potential to stem cells. In addition, compared with stem cells, exosomes also have the advantages of good biocompatibility, high drug carrying capacity, easy to obtain, and few side effects. Odontogenic stem cell-derived exosomes mainly affect the regeneration of the dentin-pulp complex by regulating processes such as dentintogenesis, angiogenesis, neuroprotection and immunomodulation. This review aimed to describe “cell-free therapies” based on odontogenic stem cell-derived exosomes, which aim to regenerate the dentin-pulp complex.

This article reviews the mechanisms and research progress of lactylation, an emerging post-translational modification (PTM) of proteins, in bone metabolism and related diseases. Lactate-derived lactylation modifies lysine residues on histones, affecting chromatin structure and gene expression. Studies indicate that lactylation plays a significant role in bone metabolism, with mechanisms including the regulation of osteoblast differentiation, potential influence on osteoclast activity, and indirect effects on bone homeostasis through the modulation of immune cell functions such as macrophages and T cells. In periodontitis, lactylation may impact inflammation progression and tissue repair by regulating macrophage polarization and function. In osteoporosis, lactylation adjusts bone density by influencing osteogenic gene expression. Additionally, the role of lactylation in other skeletal behaviors and diseases is gradually being revealed, such as its association with insulin resistance in skeletal muscle, and its roles in tooth development and rheumatoid arthritis, providing new targets for the treatment of these conditions. Future research will focus on the enzymatic regulatory mechanisms of lactylation, its interactions with other PTMs, and its involvement in metabolic diseases and inflammatory responses. The regulation of lactylation offers new strategies for the treatment of bone-related diseases, including the development of drugs that can reverse or modulate lactylation, and the restoration of bone metabolic balance through the adjustment of lactylation levels. As the understanding of lactylation’s regulatory mechanisms and biological functions deepens, its potential for clinical applications will continue to expand, particularly in the fields of bone regeneration, immunity, and the treatment of metabolic diseases.