Polysaccharide-Based Injectable Hydrogel Loaded with Quercetin Promotes Scarless Healing of Burn Wounds by Reducing...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine
• Wound Healing Research

Background:

• Burn wound healing is complicated by moisture loss, infection, and inflammation, often leading to scarring.
• Quercetin (Que) possesses therapeutic properties, but effective delivery for burn wounds remains a challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a quercetin-loaded polysaccharide-based injectable hydrogel (PECE) for improved burn wound healing.
• To evaluate the moisturizing, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and scar-reducing capabilities of PECE.

Main Methods:

• PECE hydrogel synthesized using oxidized sodium alginate (OAlg) and chitosan (CS) with incorporated quercetin (Que).
• Assessed PECE's moisturizing properties, antibacterial efficacy against E. coli and S. aureus, and in vitro anti-inflammatory effects on macrophages.
• Evaluated PECE's performance in a rat model of deep second-degree burn wounds, assessing infection, inflammation, angiogenesis, collagen deposition, and scar formation.

Main Results:

• PECE exhibited significant moisturizing ability due to its hydroxyl and carboxyl groups.
• Sustained release of Que from PECE demonstrated potent antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities (downregulating IL-6 and TNF-α).
• In vivo studies showed PECE effectively inhibited infection, reduced inflammation, promoted angiogenesis and collagen deposition, and minimized scar formation in burn wounds.

Conclusions:

• The developed quercetin-loaded hydrogel (PECE) is a promising biomaterial for burn wound management.
• PECE facilitates scarless healing by addressing key factors like infection, inflammation, and promoting tissue regeneration.