Synergistic Effect of Quercus incana Fruit Extract Incorporated Chitosan in Accelerating Wound Healing and Inflammation Reduction

Abstract

This study investigates the wound healing and skin allergy applications of Quercus incana (QI) fruit extract incorporated with chitosan (CS) using a freeze-drying method. The extract was prepared by aqueous extraction and combined with CS to enhance its therapeutic properties. The formulation was characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy to confirm the interaction between the QI extract and CS. The contact angle study revealed the surface wettability of the composite material. Anti-inflammatory assays demonstrated that QI-CS outperformed CS in reducing inflammation, likely due to the synergistic effects of the bioactive phenolic compounds from QI, which inhibit pro-inflammatory cytokines. Histopathological analysis of zebrafish wound healing indicated superior tissue regeneration and reduced inflammation in QI-CS-treated groups, with more organized collagen fibers and enhanced fibroblast proliferation. Gene expression analysis confirmed that QI-CS significantly up-regulated genes associated with extracellular matrix remodeling (MMP-13, MMP-9) and inflammation (IL-1β, TNF-α), further supporting its potential for improved wound healing. These findings suggest that QI-CS has superior therapeutic potential compared to CS, making it a promising candidate for applications in skin creams and inflammation-related conditions.