Quercetin alleviates incontinence-associated dermatitis via IKK/NF-κB pathway

Incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD) is a prevalent inflammatory skin condition caused by prolonged exposure to urine and feces, leading to significant morbidity, particularly in elderly and critically ill patients. The pathogenesis of IAD is closely linked to chronic inflammation, which results in the excessive release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and skin barrier dysfunction. This study investigates the therapeutic potential of quercetin, a natural flavonoid with known anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, in a rat model of IAD. We found that quercetin significantly downregulated the expression and phosphorylation of IKKα/β and NF-κB, leading to a reduction in pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β. Furthermore, quercetin promoted skin barrier repair, as evidenced by improved transepidermal water loss measurements and histological findings showing enhanced epidermal integrity and reduced inflammatory cell infiltration. Our findings suggest that quercetin mitigates inflammation and accelerates skin barrier repair in IAD by targeting the IKK/NF-κB pathway, offering a promising therapeutic strategy for this debilitating condition.