Chitosan-Derived Carbon Quantum Dots with Dual ROS Scavenging and Anti-inflammatory Functionalities for Accelerated Wound Repair

Blue fluorescent carbon quantum dots (CDs) were synthesized by a one-step hydrothermal method using chitosan as the only raw material. This material overcomes multifunctional integration limitations in traditional dressings, achieving coordinated wound repair across all phases. During inflammation (0–3 days), CDs scavenge reactive oxygen species and suppress inflammatory factors (TNF-α↓49.63%, IL-6↓70.8%). In proliferation (3–7 days), they promote angiogenesis (CD31↑56.89%) and cell proliferation (Ki67↑74.3%). During remodeling (7–14 days), functional parallel collagen deposition occurs (collagen deposition 1.26× Celox group). The seamless “anti-inflammation/prohealing/remodeling” mechanism yielded 59% wound closure by day 3 postirradiation (vs Celox 37.34%). CDs synergistically activate Nrf2 while inhibiting NF-κB pathways, enabling combined anti-inflammatory/antioxidant regulation in irradiated environments. Nanoscale reconstruction retains chitosan’s hemostasis and avoids gene modification/vector loading via one-step synthesis (cost-reduced), with biosafety confirmed by acute toxicity tests. This study provides a prohealing nanomaterial and establishes a paradigm for traditional biomaterial redevelopment.