Scientists from India have proposed the use of a “nanozyme” to tackle abnormal blood clotting.
The work has been undertaken at the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, Karnataka, where scientists have been developing nanomaterials to mimic the activity of natural antioxidant enzymes.
The researchers have synthesised a range of nanomaterials and established that the most promising candidate is a spherical shaped vanadium pentoxide nanozyme, which mimics glutathione peroxidase.
They say that vanadium gives the nanozyme a unique chemistry which reduces reactive oxygen species but does not interfere with normal blood clotting, potentially reducing bleeding complications.
They have tested the substance on laboratory mice and found it significantly reduced thrombosis and increased survival rates. There was no sign of toxic effects. The findings have been reported in the journal Angewandte Chemie.
Study leader Professor Govindasamy Mugesh, of the Department of Inorganic and Physical Chemistry, said: “The unique chemistry of the vanadium metal is crucial because the redox reactions that reduce reactive oxygen species levels are happening on the surface of the vanadium nanomaterial.”
Researcher Dr Bidare SharathBabu said: “Unlike conventional anti-platelet drugs that interfere with physiological haemostasis, the nanozymes modulate the redox signalling and do not interfere with normal blood clotting. This means that they won’t cause bleeding complications that are a major concern with current therapies.”
Source:
Sherin GR, SharathBabu BN, Manikanta K, Girish KS, Mugesh G. (2025) “Vanadia Nanozymes Inhibit Platelet Aggregation, Modulate Signaling Pathways and Prevent Pulmonary Embolism in Mice.” Angewandte Chemie, 11 May 2025, doi: 10.1002/anie.202503737.
Link: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/anie.202503737
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