Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2026, Vol. 30 ›› Issue (32): 8436-8442.doi: 10.12307/2026.458

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Antibacterial properties of photocrosslinkable hydrogel loaded with quercetin-silver nanoparticles for infected wounds

Chen Shichao1, 2, 3, Deng Yunyi1, 2, 3, Zhao Renshengjie1, 2, 3, Yu Ke1, 2, 3, Li Guangwen1, 2, 3   

  1. 1Department of Implantology, School of Stomatology, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan Province, China; 2Luzhou Key Laboratory of Oral and Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan Province, China; 3Institute of Stomatology, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan Province, China
  • Accepted:2026-02-07 Online:2026-11-18 Published:2026-04-27
  • Contact: Li Guangwen, PhD, Associate chief physician, Department of Implantology, School of Stomatology, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan Province, China; Luzhou Key Laboratory of Oral and Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan Province, China; Institute of Stomatology, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan Province, China Yu Ke, PhD, Associate professor, Department of Implantology, School of Stomatology, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan Province, China; Luzhou Key Laboratory of Oral and Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan Province, China; Institute of Stomatology, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan Province, China
  • About author:Chen Shichao, MS, Department of Implantology, School of Stomatology, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan Province, China; Luzhou Key Laboratory of Oral and Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan Province, China; Institute of Stomatology, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan Province, China
  • Supported by:
    Sichuan Provincial Natural Science Foundation (General Program), No. 2024NSFSC0680 (to LGW); Sichuan Provincial Health Commission Science and Technology Project, No. 24QNMP018 (to LGW); Doctoral Research Start-up Project of Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Southwest Medical University, No. 2025BS03 (to LGW) 

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Abstract: BACKGROUND: Numerous studies have confirmed that quercetin can inhibit the release of inflammatory factors and reduce local inflammatory responses in wounds, creating favorable conditions for wound healing. However, quercetin suffers from poor water solubility and low bioavailability, limiting its application in wound treatment.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the antibacterial properties of quercetin-silver nanoparticles (QuAgNPs)/methacrylated hyaluronic acid (HAMA) composite hydrogels. 
METHODS: (1) QuAgNPs were synthesized by hydrothermal reduction. QuAgNPs were loaded into methacrylated hyaluronic acid hydrogel precursor solution at different concentrations (1, 5, 10, 20, 40, 60, and 80 μg/mL) to prepare composite hydrogels, denoted as 1, 5, 10, 20, 40, 60, and 80 μg/mL QuAgNPs/HAMA hydrogels. A pure HAMA hydrogel was also prepared. Staphylococcus aureus was co-cultured with 1, 5, 10, 20, 40, 60, and 80 μg/mL QuAgNPs/HAMA hydrogels, and antibacterial properties were detected by the inhibition zone assay. The in vitro drug release performance of 60 and 80 μg/mL QuAgNPs/HAMA hydrogels was also tested. Based on the inhibition zone assay results, a suitable QuAgNPs/HAMA hydrogel was selected for subsequent experiments. (2) The microstructure of HAMA hydrogel and 60 μg/mL QuAgNPs/HAMA hydrogel was observed under a scanning electron microscope. Staphylococcus aureus (or Escherichia coli) was co-cultured with QuAgNPs, HAMA hydrogel, and 60 μg/mL QuAgNPs/HAMA hydrogel, with bacteria cultured alone as a blank control. The antibacterial rate was detected by the plate coating antibacterial experiment. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells were co-cultured with QuAgNPs, HAMA hydrogel extract, and 60 μg/mL QuAgNPs/HAMA hydrogel extract, respectively, with cells cultured alone as a blank control. Cell viability was detected by live/dead cell staining. 
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) The inhibition zone experiment showed that the antibacterial performance of 60 and 80 μg/mL QuAgNPs/HAMA hydrogels was stronger than that of 1, 5, 10, 20, and 40 μg/mL QuAgNPs/HAMA hydrogels, and there was no difference in antibacterial performance between 60 and 80 μg/mL QuAgNPs/HAMA hydrogels. Both 60 and 80 μg/mL QuAgNPs/HAMA hydrogels exhibited good in vitro drug release performance. Therefore, 60 μg/mL QuAgNPs/HAMA hydrogel was selected for subsequent experiments. (2) Scanning electron microscopy showed that the HAMA hydrogel had a loose and porous structure, and approximately spherical QuAgNPs particles were scattered on the surface of the HAMA hydrogel in the 60 μg/mL QuAgNPs/HAMA hydrogel. The plate coating antibacterial experiment showed that QuAgNPs and 60 μg/mL QuAgNPs/HAMA hydrogel had significant inhibitory effects on both Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Live/dead cell staining showed that QuAgNPs, HAMA hydrogel, and 60 μg/mL QuAgNPs/HAMA hydrogel did not affect cell viability and all had good cytocompatibility. (3) The results indicate that the QuAgNPs/HAMA composite hydrogel has good antibacterial properties. 

Key words: quercetin, silver nanoparticles, methacrylated hyaluronic acid, hydrogel, antibacterial property, infected wounds

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