Quail Egg White-Gelatin Nanocomposite Films With rGO-ZnO-Ag Nanocomposite for Antimicrobial and Scar-Reducing Skin Regeneration.

Effective wound healing requires dressings that support tissue regeneration while combating infection, particularly from multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens. This study developed and evaluated a multifunctional nanocomposite wound dressing composed of quail egg white (Qeg-W) and gelatin (GLT) embedded with rGO-ZnO-Ag nanoparticles. Nanocomposite films were prepared by incorporating rGO-ZnO-Ag into Qeg-W and applied to full-thickness skin wounds in rats. Wound closure was monitored over 21 days, and tissue samples were collected for histological assessment. Antimicrobial activity against MDR pathogens was evaluated using inhibition zone and MIC assays. The nanocomposite demonstrated robust antimicrobial activity against S. aureus, E. coli, P. aeruginosa, Salmonella enterica, and C. albicans (inhibition zones 14-30 mm; MICs 150-200 μg/mL). All wounds reached complete closure by day 21; however, NP-treated wounds were associated with significantly reduced scar thickness (~4.5-fold vs. GLT, p < 0.0001), while GLT-Qeg-W + NP wounds showed ~2-fold reduction vs. GLT-Qeg-W (p < 0.01). Histopathological evaluation indicated trends toward improved epidermal restoration and regeneration of dermal glands and hair follicles. Overall, GLT-Qeg-W nanocomposites embedded with rGO-ZnO-Ag nanoparticles exhibited strong standalone antimicrobial activity and were associated with reduced scarring and improved tissue organization. These findings suggest the potential of this sustainable, multifunctional system as a wound dressing, while highlighting the need for further studies to confirm these effects in larger cohorts.