Multifunctional Polysaccharide Self-Healing Wound Dressing: NIR-Responsive Carboxymethyl Chitosan / Quercetin...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Wound Healing Research
• Antimicrobial Therapy

Background:

• Antibiotic resistance poses significant challenges for treating infected wounds.
• Conventional antimicrobial dressings often fail to balance infection control with wound healing.
• There is a critical need for advanced wound care solutions that address both bacterial inhibition and tissue regeneration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel polysaccharide self-healing hydrogel wound dressing (CPP@PDA/Que3) for infected wounds.
• To evaluate the antioxidant, antibacterial, and wound healing capabilities of the CPP@PDA/Que3 hydrogel.
• To investigate the synergistic effects of quercetin and near-infrared (NIR) photothermal therapy in the hydrogel dressing.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a carboxymethyl chitosan-based hydrogel incorporating quercetin and polydopamine nanoparticles.
• In vitro assessment of antibacterial efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli.
• In vivo evaluation of wound healing performance, including healing rate and tissue regeneration under NIR irradiation.

Main Results:

• The CPP@PDA/Que3 hydrogel demonstrated potent in vitro antibacterial activity, eliminating over 99% of tested bacteria.
• In vivo studies showed a remarkable wound healing rate of approximately 97% with the hydrogel dressing.
• The dressing effectively inhibited bacterial growth, reduced oxidative stress, and promoted angiogenesis under NIR laser irradiation.

Conclusions:

• The CPP@PDA/Que3 hydrogel dressing offers a promising new strategy for managing bacterial wound infections.
• The combination of quercetin and NIR photothermal therapy enhances the hydrogel's therapeutic efficacy.
• This polysaccharide-based hydrogel has significant potential for clinical advancement in wound care and infection management.