Anass Benziane from György Vámosi’s group collaborated with Veronika Huntosová’s group (University of Kassa) to introduce a novel therapeutic formulation using the metal-organic framework MIL-101(Al)–NH2 loaded with hypericin to combat viral and bacterial infections. Hypericin was encapsulated to enhance its bioavailability, photodynamic properties, and therapeutic efficacy. The complex effectively transported hypericin to ACE2-expressing cells, inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 protein interactions while also demonstrating phototoxic effects on glioblastoma cells. Additionally, it exhibited antibacterial activity, selectively targeting Gram-positive Staphylococcus epidermidis under photodynamic therapy conditions. These findings highlight the dual antiviral and antibacterial potential of MIL-101(Al)–NH2 Hyp, suggesting its relevance in improving COVID-19 treatments and addressing secondary infections.
The publication appeared in the Journal of Colloid and Interface Science (IF: 9.3).