Advances in superoxide dismutase biomimetic nanozymes: Catalytic functions and therapeutic potentials

Zamanian Dastmalchi, Hoda; Dashtestani, Fariba; Kermanshahian, Kimia; Ghourchian, Hedayatollah

doi:10.22034/bmmj.2026.733699

Advances in superoxide dismutase biomimetic nanozymes: Catalytic functions and therapeutic potentials

Document Type : Review

Authors

Hoda Zamanian Dastmalchi ¹

Fariba Dashtestani ¹

Kimia Kermanshahian ¹

Hedayatollah Ghourchian ²

¹ Laboratory of Bioanalysis, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

² University of Tehran

10.22034/bmmj.2026.733699

Abstract

Abstract
Superoxide dismutase (SOD) nanozymes have emerged as promising synthetic alternatives to natural SOD enzymes, offering enhanced stability, tunable catalytic activity, and cost-effective production. This review comprehensively categorizes SOD-mimetic nanozymes, including metal oxide-based, metal-based, metal-organic frameworks, hybrid nanozymes, carbon-based nanomaterials, and single-atom nanozymes. The catalytic mechanisms of these nanozymes are discussed, emphasizing their ability to mimic the redox cycling of natural SOD by scavenging superoxide radicals (O₂•⁻) and converting them into less harmful species (O₂ and H₂O₂). Key advantages of SOD nanozymes include their multi-enzyme mimicry (e.g., catalase, peroxidase, oxidase activities), biocompatibility, and applications in biomedicine such as antioxidant therapy, cancer treatment, and neuroprotection, biosensing, and environmental remediation. However, challenges such as immunogenicity, cytotoxicity, specificity, and catalytic efficiency still need further optimization. Future research should focus on mechanistic elucidation, scalable synthesis, and clinical translation to harness the full potential of SOD nanozymes in addressing oxidative stress-related diseases and industrial applications.

Keywords

Enzyme mimic

reactive oxygen species

antioxidant therapy

mechanisms

biomedical applications

Subjects