Coordination-Driven Metal-Phenolic Nanomaterials for Biomedical Applications

Abstract

Coordination-driven phenolic-metal nanomaterials, also known as metal-phenolic networks (MPNs), are formed through coordination and self-assembly of phenolic ligands and metal ions. These MPNs offer mild fabrication conditions, good biocompatibility, degradability, and synergistic multifunctionality. Their coordination structures exhibit intelligent responsiveness to pathological microenvironments, such as low pH and high glutathione levels found in tumors, facilitating the targeted and controlled release of theranostic agents. This review systematically explores the structural classification of natural and synthetic phenolic ligands, the pharmacological activities of the natural phenolic ligands, and the biological functions and in vivo signaling pathways of key metal ions, with a focus on transition and rare earth metal ions, and provides a detailed analysis of MPNs’ coordination mechanisms and disassembly behavior. We summarize the applications of MPNs in tumor therapy, wound healing, atherosclerosis, and intervertebral disc degeneration. Finally, we discuss perspectives and future prospects of MPNs in biomedical applications, aiming to inspire the development of MPNs for advanced in vivo applications.