2D black phosphorus (BP) nanomaterials as a delivery platform is presented. The endocytosis pathways and biological activities of PEGylated BP nanosheets in cancer cells are revealed for the first time. Finally, a triple-response combined therapy strategy is achieved by PEGylated BP nanosheets, showing a promising and enhanced antitumor effect.

Nanotechnology-mediated antioxidative therapy is emerging as a novel strategy for treating a myriad of important diseases through scavenging excessive reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS), a mechanism critical in disease development and progression. However, similar to antioxidative enzymes, currently studied nano-antioxidants have demonstrated scavenging activity to specific RONS, and sufficient antioxidative effects against multiple RONS generated in diseases remain elusive. Here we propose to develop bioinspired melanin nanoparticles (MeNPs) for more potent and safer antioxidative therapy. While melanin is known to function as a potential radical scavenger, its antioxidative mechanisms are far from clear and its applications for the treatment of RONS-associated diseases have yet to be well explored. In this study, we provide for the first time exhaustive characterization of the activities of MeNPs against multiple RONS including O2•−, H2O2, •OH, •NO, and ONOO−, the main toxic RONS generated in diseases. The potential of MeNPs for antioxidative therapy has also been evaluated in vitro and in a rat model of ischemic stroke. In addition to the broad defense against these RONS, MeNPs can also attenuate the RONS-triggered inflammatory responses through suppressing the expression of inflammatory mediators and cytokines. In vivo results further demonstrate that these unique multi-antioxidative, anti-inflammatory and biocompatible features of MeNPs contribute to their effective protection of ischemic brains with negligible side effects.

As a novel 2D material, black phosphorus (BP) nanosheets are considered as a promising candidate for drug delivery platform for synergistic chemo/photothermal therapy. However, the intrinsic instability of bare BP poses a challenge in its biomedical applications. To date, some strategies have been employed to prevent BP from rapid ambient degradation. Unfortunately, most of these strategies are not suitable for the drug delivery systems. Here, a simple polydopamine modification method is developed to enhance the stability and photothermal performance of bare BP nanosheets. Then, this nanocapsule is used as a multifunctional codelivery system for the targeted chemo, gene, and photothermal therapy against multidrug‐resistant cancer. The enhanced tumor therapy effect is demonstrated by both in vitro and in vivo studies.