Polydopamine-modified chitosan nonwoven loaded with Zn/quercetin complex for rapid hemostasis and infection control

Effective wound care requires dressings capable of rapid hemostasis, antimicrobial protection, and modulation of the inflammatory response. In this study, a multifunctional dressing was developed by incorporating a Zn/quercetin (Zn/Que) coordination complex into polydopamine-modified chitosan nonwovens (PDA-CS@Zn/Que). Structural characterization confirmed the successful incorporation of PDA, Zn²⁺, and quercetin while preserving the fibrous morphology of the chitosan matrix. The resulting composite dressing exhibited enhanced hydrophilicity, appropriate water absorption, and reduced air permeability, which are beneficial for blood absorption and early-stage wound protection. PDA-CS@Zn/Que demonstrated effective antibacterial activity, achieving bactericidal rates of up to 99% against both E. coli and S. aureus. It possesses favorable antioxidant activity and can effectively inhibit macrophage activation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. In vivo liver hemostasis evaluation further showed that, compared with pure chitosan and commercial hemostatic gelatin sponge, the dressing reduced bleeding time by 26% and 20%, and decreased blood loss by 63% and 38%, respectively. In addition, the dressing exhibited good cytocompatibility. Overall, PDA-CS@Zn/Que integrates hemostatic, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory functionalities within a biocompatible fibrous scaffold, providing a promising strategy for the development of advanced wound dressings for acute and infection-prone wounds.