## 5 Nanoformulations for Wound Healing
### Nanoparticles Loaded with Phytochemicals
#### 5.2.2 Polymeric Nanocarriers  
Polymer-based nanocarriers are widely used in the pharmaceutical and tissue engineering fields due to their multifunctionality, biodegradability, and biocompatibility. CS as natural polymer has been used in wound dressings, as stated previously. Hordei is a prolamin glycoprotein found in barley with an optimal low toxicity, biodegradability, and biocompatibility. Quercetin, known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities, has therapeutic potential; however, its clinical application is limited by its low bioavailability and stability. To overcome these challenges, one study developed a novel multifunctional nanoplatform, employing a self-assembly strategy encapsulating quercetin within a hordei/chitosan matrix to significantly enhance its bioavailability and stability. The developed nanoparticles were spherical, uniformly dispersed nanoparticles averaging 435 nm in diameter and possessing a positive zeta potential. Furthermore, they exhibited an excellent physicochemical stability, low cytotoxicity, and effective antimicrobial properties against Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. In a bacterial wound model, the nanoplatform significantly outperformed free quercetin by accelerating wound closure, efficiently eradicating bacterial populations, mitigating inflammatory responses, scavenging ROS, and enhancing collagen synthesis and angiogenesis. Collectively, these findings highlight quercetin-loaded nanoparticles as a promising non-antibiotic therapeutic candidate for combating drug-resistant wound infections, warranting further investigation aimed toward clinical translation [108]. Zein, a natural biopolymer, exhibits excellent pharmaceutical properties, particularly advantageous for topical formulations. _Moringa oleifera_ contains numerous phytopharmaceutical constituents, and its leaves have traditionally been utilized for promoting wound healing. This study represents the first attempt to encapsulate aqueous leaf extracts of Moringa oleifera within zein nanoparticles, developed and optimized using a Quality by Design methodology. Subsequently, an optimized topical gel formulation incorporating these nanoparticles was prepared and further assessed for its physicochemical properties, including pH, spreadability, extrudability, and storage stability. In vivo wound healing evaluations conducted on animal models demonstrated a significantly enhanced therapeutic efficacy (_p_ < 0.05) of the Moringa-oleifera-extract-loaded zein nanoparticle gel compared to controls and gels containing the aqueous extract alone. According to the findings, zein nanoparticles can be utilized as effective carriers for herbal extracts, opening up new avenues for advanced therapeutic applications in herbal nanomedicine and topical wound care management [109]. Wound infection and impaired healing in diabetic patients remain significant challenges in clinical trauma management. Hence, developing advanced wound dressings tailored for diabetic wounds is crucial. In one study, an electrospun zein-based dressing membrane incorporating biological tea carbon dots (TCDs) and calcium peroxide (CaO\({}_{2}\)) was designed to enhance diabetic wound repair, combining advantages such as biodegradability and an excellent biocompatibility. CaO\({}_{2}\), characterized by a microspherical structure, interacts with moisture to gradually release hydrogen peroxide and calcium ions, facilitating antimicrobial activity and tissue regeneration. Additionally, TCDs, owing to their nanoscale size, were integrated into the membrane to further enhance its antibacterial properties and wound-healing efficacy. To prepare the composite dressing, TCDs/CaO\({}_{2}\) were blended with ethyl cellulose-modified zein (ZE) solution and subsequently processed via electrospinning. This advanced membrane presented an improved therapeutic potential for diabetic wound management by combining sustained antimicrobial effects, biocompatibility, and accelerated tissue healing.