Gold nanoclusters (AuNCs), characterized as ultrasmall nanomaterials with dimensions less than 3 nm, exhibit considerable potential for application in anti-inflammatory therapy. This potential is attributed to their exceptional biocompatibility and inherent biological activity. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the synthesis methods, properties, and recent advancements of AuNCs in the context of anti-inflammatory treatment. In anti-inflammatory applications, AuNCs contribute to the alleviation of various inflammatory diseases through synergistic multi-mechanistic actions. This review provides a comprehensive overview of gold clusters in conditions such as arthritis, multiple sclerosis, skin inflammation, and nephritis. We have also summarized the progress of its therapeutic mechanism. Despite their promising potential in anti-inflammatory therapy, the clinical translation of AuNCs remains challenging. Key obstacles include the optimization of synthesis methods, long-term biosafety assessments, and the enhancement of targeting capabilities. In future research, it will be essential to address these challenges by developing biocompatible and scalable synthesis methods, along with advanced functionalization strategies. This approach is critical for realizing the full clinical potential of gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) and for pioneering a new class of anti-inflammatory nanomedicines.
Wang et al. (2026) studied this question.