A quercetin/copper-doped ZIF-8 nanoparticle-integrated polysaccharide hydrogel for infected diabetic wounds

Chronic hyperglycemia-associated wounds pose major therapeutic challenges because microbial colonization, sustained inflammation, and severe oxidative injury act in concert to impede timely tissue regeneration. Targeting these combined challenges, the present work created an advanced multifunctional wound dressing, designated ADZ1, designed for the combined therapy of diabetic wounds. This system was assembled through Schiff base conjugation of aminated alginate and oxidized pullulan, followed by integration of copper-doped ZIF-8 nanostructures loaded with quercetin (ZIF-8@QC). The resulting architecture demonstrates an intelligent, self-mending, injectable porous matrix. Within an infected wound’s acidic milieu, degradation of the hydrogel occurs responsively, liberating ZIF-8@QC nanocargos. These nanoparticles catalyze available H 2 O 2 to produce considerable reactive oxygen species, enabling powerful initial antimicrobial action. Afterwards, prolonged quercetin release delivers sustained antioxidative and anti-inflammatory benefits. In vivo assessment employing a type‑1 diabetic rat model bearing Staphylococcus aureus -infected wounds revealed that ADZ1 markedly hastened wound closure (exhibiting merely 23.1% remaining wound area at day 14). In summary, by intelligently orchestrating staged bacteria-suppressing, antioxidative, inflammation-mitigating, and pro‑angiogenic activities, the ADZ1 platform demonstrates significant potential for a holistic therapeutic regimen addressing diabetic wounds.