Safe Nanozyme Therapies for Treating Inflammation in Pregnant Women: A UK Perspective

Reviewed by Lexie Corner on May 21, 2025

A joint research group involving Empa, ETH Zurich, the Cantonal Hospital of St. Gallen, and Zhejiang University in China has created advanced nanomedicines aimed at providing safe and efficient treatment for inflammation that may occur during pregnancy.

Managing health issues during pregnancy demands extra care since numerous drugs can be hazardous to both the mother and the unborn child. Inflammation frequently contributes to various complications arising in pregnancies; however, available treatments are typically insufficient or evoke worries regarding potential harm to the baby’s growth.

This brings up a crucial point: What options remain available when conventional medicines for infections or pregnancy-associated issues like preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, or impending premature labour prove inadequate or possibly detrimental?

A potential route forward involves nanozymes—minuscule artificial particles that could aid in controlling inflammation within the placenta without posing risks to either the mother or the fetus. Scientists are meticulously assessing the safety of these nanozyme-driven treatments under a scheme funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF).

A Modular Kit for Secure Treatments

Nanozymes are artificial substances at the nanoscale level that imitate the role of natural enzymes. These have been investigated for applications such as cancer treatment. They usually comprise a nanostructured centre made up of elements like metallic particles or metal oxides, which define their catalytic characteristics. Additionally, these nanozymes feature surface alterations designed to boost durability and precision in targeting specific sites.

Through this approach, we aim to facilitate tailored usage across various fields of application. .

Nikolaos Tagaras, Researcher, Empa

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These nanoscale enzymes can modify their functionality depending on the specific disease conditions. Researchers have the ability to toggle them between inactive and active states, enabling them to counteract damaging reactive oxygen species (ROS) during inflammatory processes or to identify and destroy bacteria when dealing with infections.

At Empa, the development of these nanozymes is accompanied by thorough safety testing. Researchers use established laboratory models that closely replicate the physiological conditions of the placenta and the maternal–fetal interface to assess how these particles behave in both the mother’s and the fetus’s systems.

The structure, metabolism, and interaction of maternal and fetal tissue are unique in humans .

Tina Bürki, Team Leader, Nanomaterials in Health Laboratory, Empa

It is therefore necessary to investigate the effect of the nanozymes using laboratory models based on human cells and tissues. For this purpose, the research team employs an established placental model using fully functional human placentas obtained following Caesarean sections.

“ Only thanks to human placental tissue can we obtain meaningful results on the transport and effect of the nanozymes ," stated the Empa researcher.

A Promising Start

A further advancement in crafting secure nanomedicines involves the fabrication of a "placenta chip"—a small-scale polymeric apparatus engineered to nurture human cells which mimic the placental barrier along with initial stages of embryo formation within nearly physiological settings. This cutting-edge tool enables scientists to investigate not only how materials traverse through the placenta but also assess the impact—both immediate and indirect—that nanozymes have on early-stage fetal development. Early data indicates encouraging outcomes.

“ The nanozymes do not compromise the placental barrier and have thus far demonstrated no adverse effects on the model organisms studied. ," states Empa researcher Tagaras.

Following this, the group intends to explore the detailed anti-inflammatory and antibacterial characteristics of the nanozymes.

Journal Reference:

Tagaras, N., et al .(2025) The Safety Landscape of Therapeutic Nanozymes and Future Research Directions. Advanced Science . doi.org/10.1002/advs.202407816

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