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

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.