Photocatalytic Release of Bioactive Agents for Therapeutic Applications

Photocatalysis has recently emerged as a unique and robust tool for tackling challenges in research areas spacing from chemical processes (synthesis, energy storage, et al.) to biomedical applications (phototherapy, drug delivery, et al.). In particular, the use of a photocatalyst to control and/or trigger the release of bioactive agents in biological systems has attracted increasing attention because the non-invasive characteristics and precise spatiotemporal control associated with light offers a unique solution to challenges in conventional local delivery of bioactive agents. This review summarizes the design principles of novel photocatalysts and photocatalytic processes that are suitable for long-wavelength light activation, as well as the recent development in photocatalytic release of bioagents with a focus on gasotransmitters, drugs, and reactive oxygen species (ROS). The use of photocatalysis to orchestrate the controlled release of bioactive agents is attractive due to the non-invasive and precise spatiotemporal control of this approach. This Review discusses the principles and methods of photocatalytic release, conventional bioactive agents by photocatalytic release, and their related applications in the therapeutic field.+image