Landing a Lethal Blow on Bacterial Infections: An Emerging Advance of Nanodots for Wound Healing Acceleration

Wound infection is a localized pathological defect in which microorganisms invade skin lesions and decelerate the healing process by triggering inflammation and preventing reepithelization via rapid colonization or biofilm formation [1]. Studies have demonstrated that microorganisms can be seen to accumulate in 6% of acute wounds and over 90% of chronic ones, denoting a therapeutic challenge due to their resistance to conventional antibiotics [2]. This demonstrates that bacterial infections in wounds can become more severe over time and increase healthcare costs when left untreated. To circumvent the above-mentioned challenge, various nanotechnological advancements are under investigation to develop economically viable, multifunctional, potent and ecofriendly therapeutics with novel mechanisms of action as new sources of antibacterial agent [3]. Cutaneous wound healing usually involves topical delivery, which makes nanotherapeutics relatively easy to formulate, generally as wound dressings.

Nanomaterials employed for this purpose either exhibit intrinsic properties beneficial for wound treatment and/or can be used as delivery vehicles for therapeutic agents [3]. In this editorial, we aim to provide a balanced discussion on the fundamental aspects of antimicrobial nanodots for wound repair. We focus on the potential of organic and inorganic nanodots/quantum dots (QDs), tiny zero-dimensional particles of small size (usually smaller than 50 nm), for the promotion of wound healing through inhibition of bacterial growth in the skin lesion or overcoming developed antibiotic resistance in the local infections. Current challenges and possible future research directions are also presented.