Glucosyl OPE-modified halloysite nanotubes and their potential as phototherapy agents for bacterial infections

Bacterial infections pose a significant health threat, worsened by the growing issue of antibiotic resistance and biofilm formation. Phototherapies, particularly photodynamic therapy (PDT), offer promising non-invasive alternatives due to their high efficacy and minimal side effects. These therapies utilize photosensitizers (PSs), which, when activated by light, generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) that lead to bacterial cell death. Recent advancements have focused on enhancing PDT by integrating PSs with nanomaterials. Halloysite nanotubes (HNTs), a natural clay mineral, are of particular interest due to their unique properties, including intrinsic antibacterial activity and the ability to integrate into bacterial biofilms. By combining HNTs with photosensitizers, we aimed to improve treatment efficacy. In this study, we synthesized a novel glucosyl OPE derivative and covalently attached it to HNTs, forming the composite HNTs@Glu-OPE. This system was thoroughly characterized, and its ROS generation capabilities were tested under 365 nm light irradiation using uric acid as a probe. Loaded with vancomycin, HNTs@Glu-OPE represents a multifunctional approach to PDT, enhancing both the delivery and effectiveness of therapeutic agents against resistant bacterial strains.