Engineering fast-acting anti-itching multifunctional dressing with quercetin-CD-MOF for atopic dermatitis.

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Dermatology
• Immunology

Background:

• Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition marked by itching and infection susceptibility.
• Current treatments often target skin lesions but inadequately address pruritus (itching).
• Oxidative stress and bacterial infections, particularly Staphylococcus aureus, are key drivers of AD pathogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a novel powdered dressing (Que@CD@PH) for atopic dermatitis treatment.
• To assess the dressing's ability to provide in situ gelation, wet adhesion, and controlled drug release.
• To investigate the dressing's combined antipruritic, antibacterial, and immunomodulatory effects.

Main Methods:

• Formulation of a powdered dressing comprising ε-polylysine, hyaluronic acid, and quercetin-loaded cyclodextrin metal-organic frameworks (Que@CD).
• In vitro assessment of antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and reactive oxygen species scavenging.
• In vivo evaluation using a DNCB-induced mouse model of atopic dermatitis, measuring scratching frequency, IgE levels, and inflammatory cytokines.

Main Results:

• The Que@CD@PH dressing formed an adhesive gel upon application, releasing quercetin for antipruritic effects.
• Que@CD demonstrated >99% clearance of Staphylococcus aureus and significant ROS scavenging.
• The dressing reduced scratching frequency by 71.4%, lowered IgE by 45.6%, and suppressed Th2 cytokines in vivo.
• Mechanistic studies showed the dressing promoted M2 macrophage polarization via the AMPK/NRF2/HO-1 pathway.

Conclusions:

• The Que@CD@PH dressing offers a translatable strategy for atopic dermatitis management.
• It provides synergistic antipruritic, antibacterial, and immunomodulatory functions.
• The dressing effectively alleviates AD symptoms by targeting oxidative stress, bacterial infection, and immune dysregulation.