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

• Quercetin-silver nanoparticles (QuAgNPs) were successfully synthesized and incorporated into methacrylated hyaluronic acid (HAMA) hydrogels, forming a composite with enhanced antibacterial activity. • The 60 μg/mL QuAgNPs/HAMA hydrogel exhibited strong antibacterial effects against both Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, comparable to the 80 μg/mL formulation, while maintaining good cytocompatibility. • The composite hydrogel showed a porous microstructure with dispersed QuAgNPs, supporting its potential as a wound dressing material. • The combination of quercetin and silver nanoparticles addresses the limitations of each component, offering a promising strategy for infected wound treatment.