DoE-Driven Optimization of Quercetin-Loaded Nanoparticles with In Vitro Evaluation

Impaired wound healing is marked by inflammation, oxidative stress, microbial colonization, and delayed tissue regeneration. Quercetin, a natural flavonoid with antioxidant, antiinflammatory, antimicrobial, and collagen-promoting properties, is limited by poor solubility, stability, and retention at wound sites. This study developed and optimized quercetin-loaded Eudragit® S-100 nanoparticles using a 3² factorial design with polymer and PVA concentrations as variables. FTIR and XRD confirmed physical entrapment without chemical incompatibility. The optimized nanoparticles showed high encapsulation efficiency (91.28– 93.48%), nanoscale size (108–169.9 nm), positive zeta potential (+14.32 to +24.32 mV), and sustained drug release (81.6–83.57%) over 12 h, with spherical morphology observed in SEM. These results indicate that quercetin-loaded Eudragit S-100 nanoparticles are a promising sustained topical delivery system for enhanced wound healing.