Light-Responsive Functional Nanomaterials as Pioneering Therapeutics: A Paradigm Shift to Combat Age-Related Disorders

Abstract

Aging, marked by dysregulated cellular systems, gives rise to a spectrum of age-related disorders, including neurodegeneration, atherosclerosis, immunosenescence, and musculoskeletal issues. These conditions contribute significantly to the global disease burden, posing challenges to health span and economic resources. Current therapeutic approaches, although diverse in mechanism, often fall short in targeting underlying cellular pathologies. It fails to address the issues compounded by altered pharmacokinetics in the elderly. Nanotechnology emerges as a transformative solution, offering tissue-specific targeted therapies through nanoparticles. Functional nanomaterials (FNMs) respond to internal or external stimuli, with light-responsive nanomaterials, gaining prominence. Harnessing the benefits of deep tissue penetration and ease of manipulation particularly in the near-infrared spectrum, light-responsive FNMs present innovative strategies for age-related comorbidities. This review comprehensively summarized the potential of light-responsive FNM-based approaches for targeting cellular environments in age-related disorders, and also emphasizes the advantages over traditional treatment modalities. Specifically, it was focused on the development of various classes of light-responsive functional nanomaterials including plasmonic nanomaterials, nanomaterials as carriers, upconverting nanomaterials, 2D nanomaterials, transition metal oxides and dichalcogenide nanomaterials and carbon-based nanomaterials against age related diseases. We foresee that such advanced developments in the fields of nanotechnology could provide a new hope for clinical diagnosis and treatment of age-related disorders.