Micro/nanomotors for active inflammatory disease therapy

Abstract

Inflammation is a carefully orchestrated response of the immune system to repair injured tissues and clear various damage factors. However, dysregulated inflammation can eventually contribute to the development and progression of various inflammatory diseases. Although anti-inflammatory drugs have demonstrated certain therapeutic efficacy in clinical settings, significant limitations still persist, highlighting the necessity for the development of improved approaches to address complex inflammatory conditions. Micro/nanomotors (MNMs) have shown significant promise for applications in the biomedical field due to their micro/nano-scale sizes and autonomous movement. Unlike traditional nanoparticles, which exhibit passive diffusion in biological fluids, MNMs can convert external energy into a driving force for self-propulsion. This capability not only enhances the tissue penetration depth and retention rates but also facilitates interaction with inflammatory lesions. Recent efforts have suggested that MNMs for inflammatory disease therapy could provide an efficient therapeutic effect. Herein, we mainly introduce the recent advances in inflammatory disease therapy based on MNMs. We conclude by discussing both the obstacles and potential opportunities for MNMs innovations in addressing inflammation.