Progress in developing highly active inorganic antibiotics against pathogenic fungi
Recently, Dr. Wang Zhaohui, a teacher of Professor Zhang Zhihong's team at our college, has published an article titled " Unearth the ultrapotent intrinsic fungicidal efficacy of the surface-piercing CuFeSe2-PVP nano-blade" in the top journal Chemical Engineering Journal (IF=16.744). Dr. Wang Zhaohui is the corresponding author, and the co-directed graduate students Wang Meng and Zhou Yanwen are the co first authors. The research was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Hainan University Research Launch Funding.
Currently, with the expansion of immunocompromised population, the threat of fungal infection is also increasing, especially invasive fungal infection, whose mortality rate has exceeded that of high-risk infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and malaria. Hainan Province is in the tropics and belongs to a high incidence area of fungal infections. However, there is currently a serious shortage of antifungal drugs, and no new antifungal drugs have been launched for more than 20 years. Therefore, it is urgent to develop antifungal drugs with translational potential.
Professor Wang Zhaohui, in collaboration with the School of Pharmacy of Lanzhou University, has developed an antifungal semiconductor nanocrystal that exhibits strong inhibitory effects on pathogenic fungi (Candida albicans) at extremely low concentrations. Its activity is superior than the commonly used small molecule drugs such as fluconazole and 5-FC, and it also exhibits good therapeutic effects in fungal infection mice models. It is very interesting that these nanocrystals pierce the surface of fungi like "blades", causing the leakage of important intracellular components in fungi, including nucleic acids, proteins, and potassium ions. This antifungal preparation is composed of trace elements required by the human body and medicinal excipients. The preparation method is mild, simple, and controllable, with superior biocompatibility and strong application potential.
