Urchin-inspired spiky microparticles for enhanced mild photothermal antibacterial therapy and wound healing

EIEC) within 10 min. Under near-infrared (NIR) light irradiation, there was a significant increase in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), ultimately achieving rapid and highly efficient bacterial eradication. Thus, we propose that SMPs synergistically disrupt bacterial cell membranes due to their urchin-inspired spiky structure and photothermal effects. Moreover, in a mouse model of bacterial wound infection, the SMPs demonstrated outstanding antibacterial efficacy. SMPs promoted wound tissue healing and suppressed the production of inflammatory cytokines, without inducing significant cytotoxicity. Therefore, this study presents a novel non-antibiotic tool for antibacterial therapy that offers a promising alternative approach for future clinical applications in treating bacterial infections.