IISc Develops Safer Anti-Clot Nanozyme – No More Risky Blood Thinners?
Imagine a future where life-threatening blood clots can be stopped in their tracks, without the side effects of current medications. A future where the human body’s own chemical signals are gently rebalanced, not disrupted. That future may be closer than we think, thanks to a revolutionary discovery by researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru. Their work promises a safer, more innovative solution to prevent conditions like Pulmonary Thromboembolism (PTE) and ischemic stroke, offering hope to millions at risk from abnormal blood clotting.
The Problem: When Blood Clotting Goes Rogue
Normally, the body protects itself when a blood vessel is injured. Specialized blood cells called platelets are activated and gather at the site to form a clot, preventing blood loss—a process called haemostasis.
But in certain diseases such as COVID-19, PTE, or chronic inflammatory conditions, this natural process can go awry. Instead of healing, the body begins to produce Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS)—unstable molecules that lead to oxidative stress. This causes platelets to overreact, resulting in excessive blood clots inside vessels. The outcome? Dangerous thrombosis, often leading to stroke, heart attack, or sudden death.
The Breakthrough: Nanozymes that Imitate Nature’s Defense
Led by Prof. G. Mugesh from IISc’s Department of Inorganic and Physical Chemistry, the research team developed synthetic nanomaterials, called nanozymes, that mimic natural antioxidant enzymes. These nanozymes:
- Scavenge harmful ROS molecules: Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) are unstable and toxic molecules produced during stress, inflammation, or infection. In high amounts, they damage cells and cause over-activation of platelets, leading to dangerous blood clots. Nanozymes neutralize these ROS, much like natural enzymes (e.g., Glutathione Peroxidase), helping protect the body from internal damage.
- Maintain balance in redox signalling: Inside our cells, there’s a natural balance between oxidation and reduction reactions (called redox balance). When this is disrupted, diseases like thrombosis can occur. Nanozymes restore this balance by regulating oxidative signals, ensuring that the body’s internal environment stays stable and healthy.
- Prevent platelet over-activation without interfering with normal blood clotting: Platelets are needed to stop bleeding when we get injured. But if they’re over-activated by stress signals, they can cause unnecessary clots inside blood vessels.
Unlike traditional drugs that block platelet function entirely (and may cause bleeding), these nanozymes only stop the harmful over-activation, while letting the normal clotting continue. That means fewer side effects.
In essence, they offer a precise, targeted defense mechanism, similar to what nature provides, but enhanced through engineering.
How It Works
The researcher synthesized Redox-Active Nanomaterials in various shapes as well as forms using controlled chemical reaction. These Nanozymes were then tested on human blood platelets, which had been artificially activated to simulate disease-like condition.
Among all variations, spherical-shaped vanadium pentoxide (V₂O₅) nanozymes stood out. They closely resembled the natural enzyme glutathione peroxidase, efficiently reducing oxidative stress without harming cells.
“We had to ensure the nanozyme remained in the +5 oxidation state of vanadium,” explained Sherin G.R., PhD researcher, “as the +4 state could be toxic. That was a key challenge we overcame.”
Real-World Results
To test the impact on living systems, the team used a mouse model of pulmonary thromboembolism. The results were nothing short of promising:
- Fewer Blood Clots: Mice that received the nanozyme showed a clear reduction in clot formation compared to untreated mice. This suggests the nanozyme is effective in preventing dangerous clotting without shutting down the natural clotting process.
- Better Survival Rates: The treated mice not only had fewer clots, but they also lived longer. This shows that the nanozyme doesn’t just manage the symptoms—it significantly improves survival, a major goal in treating thrombotic conditions.
- Safe and Non-Toxic: After injecting the nanozyme, researchers observed the mice for five full days. The animals showed no signs of toxicity, changes in behavior, or negative side effects. This is important because many current clot-busting drugs can cause harmful reactions or bleeding.
Unlike current anti-platelet drugs that can trigger bleeding complications, the nanozyme offers a gentle, non-invasive approach by simply restoring chemical balance.
Safer Alternative to Conventional Anti-Clotting Drugs
Existing anti-thrombosis medications often interfere with the normal clotting process and can cause serious side effects like excessive bleeding. In contrast, the IISc nanozymes:
- Preserve Natural Clotting: The nanozymes do not interfere with physiological haemostasis—the body’s natural process of stopping bleeding when injured. This means they allow normal healing to happen without delay or risk.
- Target Only the Problem Areas: Instead of affecting the whole clotting system, the nanozymes specifically act on abnormal redox signalling—the chemical signals disrupted by oxidative stress that lead to harmful platelet over-activation. This selectivity makes the treatment more precise and controlled.
- Fewer Side Effects, Greater Safety: Nanozymes offers a safer option by preserving the body’s healthy response and only rectifying what’s wrong. These Nanozymes offer a safe option with significantly lower risk of bleeding, which is a major concern with existing drugs.
“This selective mechanism of action could overcome the limitations of current anti-platelet drugs,” said Bidare N. Sharath Babu, another PhD student involved in the project.
What’s Next? Targeting Stroke and Other Clotting Disorders
Encouraged by the success in lab and animal models, the researchers now plan to test the nanozymes in conditions like ischemic stroke, where blood clots block arteries supplying the brain.
“We are optimistic about translating this into clinical trials,” said Prof. Mugesh. “Since our nanozymes have already worked effectively on human platelets, there is real potential for human application.”
This breakthrough is not just a research milestone, it is a beacon of hope for millions at risk of thrombotic diseases. With the potential to save lives, reduce treatment side effects, as well as offer a safer therapeutic path, this Indian Institute of Science innovation marks a big step forward in modern medicine.
In a world still grappling with the aftermath of COVID-19 and rising cardiovascular risks, discoveries like this remind us that science is not just about understanding life—it’s about protecting it.
IISc Develops Safer Anti-Clot Nanozyme
