Electrospun quaternized chitosan/polyvinyl alcohol nanofibrous mat incorporating quercetin as a promising wound dressing

Electrospun nanofibrous mats incorporating biopolymers have attracted significant attention for wound healing applications due to their ability to mimic the extracellular matrix and facilitate tissue regeneration. In this study, a nanocomposite mat composed of quaternized chitosan (QCS) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) was fabricated via electrospinning. The effects of electrospinning conditions and the QCS-to-PVA ratio were investigated. To further improve the healing efficiency of nanomat, quercetin was incorporated to polymeric matrix of mat before electrospinning. Mats prepared under optimized electrospinning conditions and at a QCS/PVA ratio of 30:70 (v/v) exhibited uniform, bead-free morphology and demonstrated favorable physicochemical properties, including high porosity (~ 91%), hydrophilicity, and an appropriate water vapor transmission rate. Drug release studies showed an initial burst release followed by sustained quercetin release governed by Fickian diffusion. While both mats exhibited moderate antibacterial activity against E. coli, cytocompatibility assays revealed concentration-dependent biocompatibility with mouse fibroblast (L929) cells. In vivo wound healing studies in rats demonstrated significantly improved wound closure in the quercetin-loaded nanomat group compared to the nanomat and control groups, along with enhanced collagen deposition and epithelial regeneration. These findings highlight the potential of QCS/PVA electrospun mats, particularly those incorporating quercetin, as effective wound dressing materials that promote accelerated healing.