Antibacterial, Antibiofilm, and Wound Healing Activities of Rutin and Quercetin and Their Interaction with Gentamicin on Excision Wounds in Diabetic Mice

Simple Summary Phytochemicals are used against drug-resistant bacterial strains. In this work, diabetic mice with excision wounds infected with multidrug-resistant (MDR)-P. aeruginosa were used. The antibacterial, antibiofilm, and wound-healing properties of rutin and quercetin were studied. The broth dilution and crystal violet assay were used to investigate the antibacterial and antibiofilm activities in vitro, respectively. At higher concentrations, quercetin and rutin showed promise against MDR-P. aeruginosa. By inhibiting biofilm from the injured tissue, both phytochemicals aided in the healing of diabetic wounds by preventing the formation of biofilm in vitro. Compared to rutin, quercetin had an impact on accelerating wound healing and promoting epithelial layer regeneration. When combined with gentamicin, both phytochemicals were found to be more successful in regulating biofilm and wound-healing processes. The research validates the conventional application of phytochemicals possessing antibacterial, antibiofilm, and wound-healing properties for the treatment of diabetic infections.Abstract Phytochemicals are effective and are gaining attention in fighting against drug-resistant bacterial strains. In the present study, rutin and quercetin were tested for antibacterial, antibiofilm, and wound healing activities on excision wounds infected with MDR-P. aeruginosa in diabetic mice. Antibacterial and antibiofilm activities were studied in vitro using broth dilution assay and crystal violet assay, respectively. These phytochemicals were tested alone for wound-healing activities at different concentrations (0.5% and 1% in ointment base) and in combination with gentamicin to evaluate any additive effects. Rutin and quercetin demonstrated effectiveness against MDR-P. aeruginosa at higher concentrations. Both phytochemicals inhibited biofilm formation in vitro and contributed to the healing of diabetic wounds by eradicating biofilm in the wounded tissue. Rutin at a low concentration (0.5%) had a lesser effect on reducing the epithelization period and regeneration of the epithelial layer compared to quercetin. When combined with gentamicin, quercetin (1%) displayed the maximum effect on epithelium regeneration, followed by rutin (1%) in combination with gentamicin. Both phytochemicals were found to be more effective in controlling biofilm and wound-healing activities when used as an additive with gentamicin. The study supports the traditional use of phytochemicals with antibacterial, antibiofilm, and wound-healing activities in managing diabetic infections.