Ferro-catalysis bioelectronics: Progress and prospects

Harnessing the ferro-catalytic effect to accelerate physiological-chemical reactions to enhance the therapeutic impact of diseases is termed "ferro-catalysis bioelectronics". Ferro-catalysis triggers the precise generation of highly cytotoxic reactive oxygen species or highly permeable gases, specifically targeting diseased tissues and promoting effective in situ therapy. Furthermore, the dynamic electricity stimulation arising from the ferrocatalytic effect facilitates cell differentiation, thereby expediting tissue regeneration. In order to facilitate the development of this emerging technology, this review presents an overview of the current research progress in the field of ferro-catalysis bioelectronics. Following a brief explanation of the fundamental mechanism and enhancement strategies of ferro-catalysis, the recapitulation of ferro-catalysis bioelectronics-based applications in oral care, cancer therapy, tissue regeneration, anti-inflammatory and anti-infectives is presented. Finally, the pain points and prospects for ferro-catalysis bioelectronics in various disciplines are thoughtfully detailed, with the hope of enabling clinical translation and thereby enhancing our overall quality of life.