Antioxidant Functionalization of Nanoparticles for Biomedical Applications

Antioxidant functionalization of nanoparticles harnesses the capacity of nanomaterials to scavenge reactive oxygen species and mitigate oxidative damage in biological systems. By decorating metallic, metal‐oxide or polymeric nanoparticles with antioxidant moieties—either through covalent linking, physical adsorption or encapsulation—researchers achieve enhanced stability, controlled release and targeted delivery of antioxidants. Functionalized nanoparticles can traverse biological barriers more effectively than free antioxidant molecules, improve bioavailability and localise activity at sites of inflammation or tissue injury. This approach addresses limitations of natural and synthetic antioxidants, such as rapid degradation and poor absorption, while offering modular platforms for imaging, drug delivery and theranostics. Developments span green synthesis routes using plant or microbial extracts to bioinspired assemblies that combine intrinsic nanozyme activity with surface‐bound scavengers. Collectively, these advances promise novel interventions against oxidative‐stress–related diseases, from neurodegeneration to cardiovascular disorders and wound healing, underscoring their global significance and translational potential.

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Antioxidant Functionalization of Nanoparticles for Biomedical Applications publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in antioxidant functionalization of nanoparticles for biomedical applications across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Reactive oxygen species (ROS): Highly reactive molecules derived from oxygen that can induce cellular damage under oxidative stress.

Green synthesis: Eco-friendly methods for nanoparticle production using biological extracts or benign reagents instead of harsh chemicals.

Functionalization: Chemical or physical modification of nanoparticle surfaces to attach bioactive molecules or ligands.

Bioavailability: The proportion of a substance that reaches systemic circulation and is available for biological action.

Enzyme-mimetic activity: Catalytic behaviour of nanoparticles that replicates the function of natural antioxidant enzymes (e.g. superoxide dismutase).

References

1. Untying the antimicrobial and antioxidant potential of silver nanoparticles fabricated from Typhonium trilobatum (L.) Schott. Plant Nano Biology (2024).
2. The Antioxidant Effect of the Metal and Metal-Oxide Nanoparticles. Antioxidants (2022).
3. Nanoantioxidants: Recent Trends in Antioxidant Delivery Applications. Antioxidants (2019).
4. Antioxidant Functionalized Nanoparticles: A Combat against Oxidative Stress. Nanomaterials (2020).