Quercetin@β-Cyclodextrin\nConjugated Keratin/Polyurethane\nBiocomposite Mats for Infected Diabetic Wound Healing

Chronic diabetic wounds suffer from\nsevere complications\ncaused\nby long-term high levels of oxidative stress and bacterial infection.\nQuercetin (Que) has excellent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and\nantibacterial activity, making it a promising drug to address the\nabove issues. To exploit the benefits of Que in a more effective and\nsustained way to treat diabetic wounds, carboxymethyl β-cyclodextrin\n(CMCD) was synthesized and conjugated to keratin, then complexed with\nQue to form Que@Ker-CMCD inclusion, followed by electrospinning with\npolyurethane (PU) to afford Que@Ker-CMCD/PU mats. The approach significantly\nenhanced water solubility, bioavailability, and sustained release\nof Que. Crucially, these mats exhibited robust antioxidant and antibacterial\nactivities. Moreover, the mats fostered an environment conducive to\ncell proliferation, migration, angiogenesis, and re-epithelialization,\npivotal processes in wound healing and remodeling. Consequently, a\nmarked acceleration in remodeling chronic diabetic wounds was observed.\nIn conclusion, this study introduces a novel therapeutic strategy\nthat not only harnesses the multifaceted benefits of Que but also\nenhances its delivery and performance, offering a promising avenue\nfor the effective treatment of chronic diabetic wounds.