Cellulose-Based Hydrogel from Blumea balsamifera (L.) DC. Residue as a Drug Delivery Platform for Infected Wound Healing

Bacterial wound infections remain a significant clinical challenge, requiring dressings that simultaneously provide durable antibacterial activity and controlled drug release. In this study, Blumea balsamifera (L.) DC. residue was upcycled into a cellulose-based hydrogel (BBR-CH), and its potential as a drug delivery platform was assessed using total flavonoids (BFTs) derived from the same plant as a model drug. The resulting BFT@BBR-CH hydrogel exhibited pH-responsive, first-order sustained drug release kinetics, potent antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, strong antioxidant capacity (IC50 = 0.056 mg/mL), and cytocompatibility exceeding 90%. In infected full-thickness rat wounds, BFT@BBR-CH achieved more than 94% wound closure by day 14, accompanied by enhanced collagen deposition and reduced inflammation. Mechanistically, BFT@BBR-CH downregulated TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β, while modulating EGFR/AKT1/HIF-1α/VEGF-A signaling and inhibiting FOXO3/Caspase-3-mediated apoptosis. Collectively, this work establishes BBR-CH as a sustainable and versatile drug delivery platform, providing a waste-to-wealth strategy for the development of advanced wound care materials.