Metal-based micro/nanomaterials for hydrogen therapy and their biomedical applications

Abstract

Hydrogen therapy, as an emerging and promising therapeutic strategy, utilizes the ability of hydrogen to selectively scavenge reactive oxygen species, exerting biological effects such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor and antibacterial, and showing significant therapeutic effects on many oxidative stress/inflammatory related diseases, and consequently has attracted extensive attention for clinical/preclinical studies. However, low water solubility and non-targeted diffusion of hydrogen limit its application in the treatment of many diseases. Metal-based micro/nanomaterials, serving as effective hydrogen storage and production platforms, represent ideal candidates for enhancing hydrogen delivery efficiency and achieving targeted hydrogen release. This review comprehensively explores the hydrogen release mechanisms, synthesis methods, and biomedical applications of hydrogen-releasing metal-based micro/nanomaterials. Furthermore, the challenges and limitations of metal-based micro/nanomaterials for hydrogen therapy are discussed, while providing forward-looking recommendations for future research and development directions in this field.