Nanomedicine-mediated ferroptosis regulation in myocardial injury: Emerging opportunities and translational challenges

Qi Yuzhu; Zheng Xiwen; Wang Kai

doi:10.70401/bmeh.2026.0038

Nanomedicine-mediated ferroptosis regulation in myocardial injury: Emerging opportunities and translational challenges

Yuzhu Qi

1,2,#

Xiwen Zheng

1,2,#

Kai Wang

1,*

Affiliation +

*Correspondence to: Kai Wang, Department of Medical Laboratory, Central China Subcenter of National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Henan Cardiovascular Disease Center, Fuwai Central-China Cardiovascular Hospital, Central China Fuwai Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450046, Henan, China. E-mail: wangkai@nccdhz.org.cn

BME Horiz. 2027;5:202637. 10.70401/bmeh.2026.0038

Received: August 24, 2026Accepted: October 21, 2026Published: October 22, 2026

This manuscript is made available in its unedited form to allow early access to the reported findings. Further editing will be completed before final publication. As such, the content may include errors, and standard legal disclaimers are applicable.

Abstract

Ferroptosis is a dependent and controlled form of cell death, which is characterized by lipid peroxidation and impaired antioxidant defense, which has become an important mechanism for myocardial damage. It promotes myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI), chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity, septic cardiomyopathy and pathological remodeling, making it a potential therapeutic target. Nanozyme is a nanomaterial with enzyme imitation catalytic activity, which provides a multifunctional method for oxidative stress regulation, iron metabolism, lipid peroxidation and inflammation. In this mini-review, we summarize the participation of ferroptosis in myocardial lesions and its main treatment goals, as well as the recent use of nanozymes to reduce cardiac inflammation, myocardial cell death, fibrosis and adverse remodeling. Although some studies provide direct evidence of ferroptosis regulation, the nanozyme-mediated heart protection mechanism has not been fully defined. Problems such as cardiac targeting, biosafety, pharmacokinetics, biodegradability and clinical verification also limit translation. Subsequently, the development of nanozymes targeted and mechanically determined by the heart can promote the clinical research on the regulation of ferroptosis during myocardial lesions.

Keywords

Ferroptosis, nanomedicine, myocardial injury, cardioprotection, oxidative stress

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Qi Y, Zheng X, Wang K. Nanomedicine-mediated ferroptosis regulation in myocardial injury: Emerging opportunities and translational challenges. BME Horiz. 2027;5:202637. https://doi.org/10.70401/bmeh.2026.0038