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.