Improve Wound Healing Research Articles

Lipoic acid improves wound healing through its immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects in a diabetic mouse model.

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease that has become more prevalent worldwide because of lifestyle changes. It leads to serious complications, including increased atherosclerosis, protein glycosylation, endothelial dysfunction, and vascular denervation. These complications impair neovascularization and wound healing, resulting in delayed recovery from injuries and an elevated risk of infections. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of lipoic acid (LA) on the key mediators involved in the wound healing process, specifically CD4 + CD25 + T cell subsets, CD4 + CD25 + Foxp3 + regulatory T (Treg) cells, T-helper-17 (Th17) cells that generate IL-17A, glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis factor receptor (GITR) expressing cells, as well as cytokines such as IL-2, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α and IFN-γ. These mediators play crucial roles in epidermal and dermal proliferation, hypertrophy, and cell migration. We divided mice into 5 groups: the non-diabetic (normal control; NC), wounded non-diabetic mice (N + W), wounded diabetic mice (D + W), wounded diabetic mice treated with 50mg/kg lipoic acid (D + W + L50) for 14 days, and wounded diabetic mice treated with 100mg/kg lipoic acid (D + W + L100) for 14 days. Flow cytometric analysis indicated that lipoic acid-treated mice exhibited a significant decrease in the frequency of intracellular cytokines (IL-17A, TNF-α and IFN-γ) in CD4 + T cells, as well as a reduction in the number of GITR-expressing cells. Conversely, a significant upregulation in the number CD4+, CD25+, FOXp3 + and CD4 + CD25 + Foxp3 + regulatory T (Treg) cells was observed in this group compared to both the normal + wounded (N + W) and diabetic + wounded (D + W) groups. Additionally, the mRNA Levels of inflammatory mediators (IL-2, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α) were downregulated in lipoic acid-treated mice compared to other groups. T thereby he histological findings of diabetic skin wounds treated with lipoic acid showed well-healed surgical wounds. These findings support the beneficial role of lipoic acid in fine-tuning the balance between anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory cytokines, influencing both their release and gene expression.

Non-invasive physical plasma improves conventional wound management of cut and bite wounds in wild European hedgehogs

Non-invasive physical plasma (NIPP) has been used effectively for wound healing in human medicine for over two decades. The advantages are that NIPP has few side effects, is painless and gentle on the tissue. The therapeutic effect is mediated by reactive oxygen species (ROS). Based on the biomedical effects known to date, it can be assumed that NIPP can also be used for wound treatment in non-human mammals. In this prospective, non-randomized monocentric clinical trial, 43 European hedgehogs with cut and bite wounds were treated with conventional wound management (CWM: 21 patients) and compared with 22 patients with CWM plus NIPP treatment (CWM + NIPP). Under NIPP treatment, patients showed no signs of pain, stress or discomfort, even after several applications. In 76% of CWM + NIPP patients, three or four NIPP applications were sufficient. In patients in the CWM + NIPP group, wound treatment was completed statistically significantly 6 d earlier (CWM: 19.0 d versus CWM + NIPP: 13.2 d; p = 0.0008). This wildlife clinical trial demonstrates that NIPP can be used to improve wound healing in wild European hedgehogs. It is conceivable that NIPP therapy could also lead to positive effects in other injured wild animals, domestic animals or livestock.

Development and evaluation of chitosan-coated virgin coconut oil-asiatic acid-loaded nanoemulgel for enhanced wound management.

Wound management remains a significant challenge due to complications such as delayed healing and microbial infections, particularly in the conditions like diabetes mellitus, vascular disorders, and immunosuppression. This study aimed to develop a chitosan-coated virgin coconut oil-asiatic acid-loaded nanoemulsion gel (CS-ASA-NEG) to enhance wound healing outcomes. A central composite design (CCD) was employed using Design Expert 11 software to optimize the nanoemulsion formulation, with ternary phase diagrams (TPD) evaluating stable regions for Tween 20: Span 80 (T20:S80) ratios. The optimized 4:1 ratio yielded a nanoemulsion with a globule size of 131.80±0.33nm and an entrapment efficiency (EE%) of 94.86±0.05%. Stability studies confirmed the formulation's robustness at 5°C and 25°C for 28days. The nanoemulgel was prepared using 1% carbopol gel, with a pH of 5.50±0.04 and viscosity of 16,481±0.01cP, making it suitable for topical use. Skin permeation and irritation studies indicated superior efficacy, with a maximum flux (Jmax) of 159.10±0.08μg/cm2/h, outperforming marketed gels. The formulation achieved a wound contraction rate of 99.86±0.24% by day 20, highlighting the synergistic benefits of asiatic acid, virgin coconut oil, and chitosan. CS-ASA-NEG offers a promising approach to improve wound healing.

Lovastatin and Resveratrol Synergistically Improve Wound Healing and Inhibit Bacterial Growth.

Wound healing is a complex physiological process, with scarring and infection caused by Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa being the most common complications. The reutilization of known medications has received increased attention for their role in cell function as small molecules. Examples of these include lovastatin, a cholesterol-lowering agent, and resveratrol, which have multiple biological properties. Both molecules have been reported to improve wound healing and possess antibacterial properties, with conflicting results. The wound-healing capabilities of human mesenchymal stem cells were evaluated after exposure to lovastatin, resveratrol, and their combination through scratch test, migrations assay, and qPCR. Protein docking was performed to assess the lovastatin/resveratrol combination as potential wound-healing targets. AlamarBlue assay was used to determine cell viability. Additionally, the impact of lovastatin and resveratrol combination to inhibit the growth of S. aureus and P. aeruginosa was tested using broth microdilution test and checkerboard assay to determine synergism. The combination of lovastatin 0.1 μM and resveratrol 0.1 μM synergistically improved wound healing and demonstrated an additive effect against S. aureus and P. aeruginosa, presenting potential antibacterial applications.

Extracellular vesicle-mediated VEGF-A mRNA delivery rescues ischaemic injury with low immunogenicity.

Lackluster results from recently completed gene therapy clinical trials of VEGF-A delivered by viral vectors have heightened the need to develop alternative delivery strategies. This study aims to demonstrate the pre-clinical efficacy and safety of extracellular vesicles (EVs) loaded with VEGF-A mRNA for the treatment of ischaemic vascular disease. After encapsulation of full-length VEGF-A mRNA into fibroblast-derived EVs via cellular nanoporation (CNP), collected VEGF-A EVs were delivered into mouse models of ischaemic injury. Target tissue delivery was verified by in situ analysis of protein and gene expression. Functional rescue was confirmed by in vivo imaging and histology. The safety of single and serial delivery was demonstrated using immune-based assays. VEGF-A EVs were generated with high mRNA content using a CNP methodology. VEGF-A EV administration demonstrated expression of exogenous VEGF-A mRNA by in situ RNA hybridization and elevated protein expression by western blot, microscopy, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Mice treated with human VEGF-A EVs after femoral or coronary artery ligation exhibited heightened neovascularization in ischaemic tissues with increased arterial perfusion and improvement in left ventricular function, respectively. Serial delivery of VEGF-EVs in injured skin showed improved wound healing with repeat administration. Importantly, as compared with adeno-associated viral and lipid nanoparticle VEGF-A gene therapy modalities, murine VEGF-A EV delivery did not trigger innate or adaptive immune responses at the injection site or systemically. This study demonstrated that VEGF-A EV therapy offers efficient, dose-dependent VEGF-A protein formation with low immunogenicity, resulting in new vessel formation in murine models of ischaemic vascular disease.

Carbohydrate and wound healing in critically ill burn patients: A retrospective cohort study.

Two randomized controlled trials conducted in acutely burned patients found clinical benefits with higher carbohydrate (60-65% of total energy), lower fat (12-15%) nutrition, to include faster wound healing, fewer wound infections, decreased hospital stay, and less pneumonia. The primary purpose of this study was to assess whether our change in practice to a higher proportion of carbohydrates (60%) with 25% of energy from protein, and 15% of energy from fat was associated with improved wound healing rates. Secondary outcomes evaluated included invasive fungal wound infections, ischemic bowel, sepsis, and mortality. Before February 2022, the use of a high-protein, relatively low-fat enteral formula (52% carbohydrate, 23% fat, 25% protein) combined with a protein modular was the standard practice (PRE-group) in our burn center. After, we implemented a higher carbohydrate feeding protocol (POST-group). In this study, patients in the POST-group were matched 2:1 by age, burn size, burn depth, inhalation injury, and gender to those in the PRE-group. There were 66 patients evaluated: 18% female, 42±13 years of age, burn size of 38±21%TBSA. There was a statistically significant difference in wound healing rates (0.7%±0.5%TBSA/day PRE vs. 1.1%±0.5%TBSA/day POST, p=0.037). There was also significantly less sepsis (70%PRE vs. 41%POST, p=0.021). There were no statistically significant differences between groups in ischemic bowel (0%PRE vs. 4%POST, p=0.159), invasive fungal wound infection rates (14%PRE vs. 5%POST, p=0.245), or mortality (16%PRE, 9%POST; p=0.447). We found a statistically significant increase in wound healing rates when administering a higher proportion of carbohydrate to our patients with severe burns.

Construction and bacteriostatic effect analyses of a recombinant thermostable Newcastle disease virus expressing cecropin AD.

Cecropin AD (CAD), a hybrid antimicrobial peptide composed of the first 11 residues of cecropin A and last 26 residues of cecropin D, is a promising antibiotic candidate. Therefore, an efficient and convenient method for producing CAD is necessary for commercial applications. The Newcastle disease virus (NDV) has been widely used as a platform for gene delivery and exogenous protein expression. In this study, we constructed a recombinant NDV that expresses CAD. To obtain high expression of the CAD peptide, tandem repeats of the cad gene were inserted into the genomes of the thermostable NDV strain TS09-C using reverse genetic technology. The thermostable recombinant NDV, namely rTS-CAD3, showed thermostability and growth kinetics similar to those of their parental strain. A bacteriostatic test showed that rTS-CAD3 inhibited Staphylococcus aureus (gram-positive bacteria) and Escherichia coli (gram-negative bacteria) in vitro. We further determined the bacteriostatic effects of rTS-CAD3 expressed CAD against S. aureus in skin wound infections. The results showed that rTS-CAD3 subcutaneously injection improved wound healing and reduced S. aureus decolonization. In summary, our results indicate that the rTS-CAD3 expressing CAD peptide is a potent antimicrobial agent against S. aureus and E. coli and may be applied to accelerate wound healing in farm animals.

Role of insulin in the management of diabetic foot

Despite insulin's well-documented benefits in wound healing over the last 70 years, challenges remain regarding the optimal method of administration. While systemic insulin therapy has significant side effects, topical insulin faces challenges with consistent delivery. This study aims to test the hypothesis that local insulin injections can provide sustained high concentrations in wounds, promoting healing with minimal systemic impact, combining the benefits of both systemic and topical insulin therapies.This study investigates the effect of local insulin injections on wound healing, focusing on enhancing the healing process in a non-healing diabetic foot ulcer. The objective is to determine whether insulin injections at the wound site can accelerate healing by promoting key processes like keratinocyte migration, differentiation, and angiogenesis.Conducted at a tertiary care center in South India, this study involved a 69-year-old male patient with a non-healing ulcer over the lateral aspect of the left foot due to Charcot's joint. The wound area was treated with a mixture of Insulin Isophane and Human Insulin (70/30) in a 4-unit to 10 ml saline ratio per 10 cm². The treatment was followed by a two-layer regenerative scaffold dressing and Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) to support recovery.The insulin application significantly enhanced wound healing by promoting keratinocyte migration, differentiation, and angiogenesis. These effects led to a noticeable reduction in the time required for wound closure and improved tissue regeneration.The use of local insulin injections effectively improves wound healing by targeting key processes such as inflammation, re-epithelialization, and angiogenesis. This study underscores the potential of insulin as a promising therapeutic agent for chronic wound management. Further research is recommended to validate these findings and explore its application across diverse wound types.

Role of phenytoin solution in the management of diabetic foot

Chronic ulcers and non-healing wounds present a significant public health and economic burden, particularly in aging populations. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of topical phenytoin in enhancing wound healing, focusing on its effects on fibroblast proliferation, neovascularization, and overall wound repair.A case study was conducted in the Department of Plastic Surgery at a tertiary care center in South India involving a 69-year-old male patient with a non-healing diabetic foot ulcer complicated by Charcot's joint. Regenerative therapy utilized a 5 mg/ml diluted phenytoin solution for wound irrigation, followed by the application of a two-layered collagen scaffold, sterile dressing, and immobilization.Topical application of phenytoin demonstrated a marked improvement in wound healing. Observed outcomes included enhanced granulation tissue formation, reduced inflammation, and improved epithelialization.This study highlights the potential of phenytoin as an accessible, cost-effective, and safe therapeutic agent for chronic wound management. By promoting fibroblast proliferation, inhibiting collagenase activity, and enhancing neovascularization, phenytoin significantly improves wound healing. These findings support the integration of phenytoin in clinical practice for non-healing ulcers, with a recommendation for larger-scale studies to validate its broader applicability.

Anisotropic Shape‐Memory Cryogel with Oriented Macroporous Channel for Hemorrhage Control and Tissue Generation

AbstractInjectable shape‐memory materials represent a promising solution for managing severe bleeding from deep, inaccessible wounds. However, many existing expandable hemostats consist of randomly porous networks and often exhibit inadequate liquid absorption, non‐degradability, and potential cytotoxicity, which limits their effectiveness in hemostasis and wound repair. To overcome these challenges, this study introduces an anisotropic hemostatic cryogel, SALC, featuring oriented macroporous channels made from biocompatible polymers (poly(ethylene glycol), gelatin, and lignin) through a simple one‐step cryo‐structuration process. This structural alignment provides the cryogel with low water flow resistance, efficient fluid transport, and rapid shape recovery. SALC demonstrates superior liquid adsorption and retention, in vitro tamponade sealing, and pro‐coagulant properties compared to commercial gelatin sponges and XSTAT, along with favorable biocompatibility and biodegradability. The hemostatic efficacy of SALC surpasses clinically used counterparts in rat models of liver perforation and femoral artery transection. Remarkably, SALC achieves effective hemostasis in porcine models of severe hepatic, femoral artery, and cardiac injuries. Additionally, this anisotropic cryogel supports liver tissue regeneration by promoting cell migration and angiogenesis while mitigating inflammatory responses. The cryogel is also lightweight and easy to carry and implement. Overall, SALC shows promising clinical applications for treating severe hemorrhages and improving wound healing.

Sodium alginate/κ-carrageenan films for mupirocin dermal delivery

Aim: The chronicity of injuries is also a public health problem, and it is necessary to develop and apply new materials to promote more satisfactory results in the wound healing. Thus, this study aims to develop natural polymer films based on a combination of κ-carrageenan and sodium alginate, crosslinked with Zn2+, for the controlled delivery of mupirocin (MUP). Methods: Vibrational spectroscopy (Raman and infrared spectroscopies) was used to characterize the chemical structure and crosslinking process. Micro-Raman imaging and scanning electron microscopy were employed to observe the spatial distribution of the polymers and morphology of the samples, respectively. The uniformity (in terms of mass, thickness, and MUP concentration) of the films, MUP release kinetics, and their bactericidal activity were subjected to analysis. Results: The films exhibited good uniformity in terms of thickness, mass, and quantity of MUP. However, the percentage of antibiotics was lower than that added, indicating losses during the film production process. Swelling and release kinetic studies indicated good swelling capacity of the films and controlled drug delivery process. The antibacterial activity of the films was determined against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa using the zone of inhibition method. All films produced showed activity against the growth of these bacteria. Conclusions: The results illustrate the potential of employing κ-carrageenan and sodium alginate in the fabrication of polymeric films for the regulated release of MUP, with the aim of developing wound dressings that can improve wound healing outcomes.

Atomic-layer-deposition application for antibacterial coating of biomedical materials: surgical sutures.

Suture-associated surgical site infection (SSI) causes bacterial pathogens to colonize on the suture surface that are highly resistant to antibiotic treatment. Conventional suture materials used in surgical practice are causing complications such as infection and chronic inflammation. Surgical suture materials with antibacterial coatings are widely used in surgical practice. The surgical sutures based on antibacterial nanomaterials possess a more promising efficacy. The antibacterial coatings can make a significant contribution to prevention of suture-associated SSI. In the present work, we proposed a new method of antibacterial coating of the surgical sutures based on the atomic layer deposition (ALD) technique. The main aim of the present work is to use the V-doped TiO2 thin film synthesized based on ALD technology, on the surface of the surgical suture to enhance its antibacterial activity for treatment of the SSI. Surgical sutures with enhanced antibacterial activity have been developed using ALD method to prevent microbial colonization of the suture material in operative incisions. The ALD experiment was performed at a temperature of 85 °C using super-cycles of self-saturating hydrolysis reactions between TiCl4 and H2O, VOCl3 and H2O precursors. Antimicrobial properties of TiVOx coated sutures were studied against two types of microorganisms, Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Proteus vulgaris (Pr. Vulgaris). We demonstrate the application of ALD as a technique to synthesize nanoscale coatings on surgical suture (polypropylene, surgical suture material, non-absorbable monofilament Ethicon Prolene 2-0). We found that the coated sutures illustrated high stability. Surgical sutures coated with an antibacterial agent (TiVOx) proposed in this work based on ALD technique provide a novel approach to preparing multifunctional sutures and significantly reducing inflammatory reactions and improving wound healing. The efficiency of the derived TiVOx -coated sutures was tested on small animals for comparative analysis of the use of coated and uncoated PP sutures to prevent SSI.

The Exosome and its Application in Skin Wound Healing: A Systematic Review on In vitro Studies.

Wound healing is a complex procedure frequently delayed in patients with underlying chronic conditions. Despite essential advances in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, wound healing remains challenging, warranting novel methods for promoting wound healing. It has been demonstrated that exosomes are one of the main secretory products of different cell types, such as Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs), for regulating various biological processes, including wound healing. Henceforth, understanding these exosome effects might assist in improving wound management and highlight a novel therapeutic model for cell-free therapies with reduced side effects for repairing wounds. This systematic review involved conducting research electronically on scholarly scientific databases, including PubMed, Science Direct, and Scopus. Eligibility checks were performed based on predefined selection criteria. Finally, thirty-nine studies were considered. Exosomes have been indicated to use multitargeted pathways to improve wound healing by modulating numerous dysregulated signaling cascades involved in cell proliferation, cell cycle regulation, metastasis, apoptosis, and angiogenesis. The outcome of this review might guide pre-clinical and clinical studies on the role of exosomes in skin wound healing.

Exploring Methacrylated Gellan Gum 3D Bioprinted Patches Loaded with Tannic Acid or L-Ascorbic Acid as Potential Platform for Wound Dressing Application.

To improve wound healing, advanced biofabrication techniques are proposed here to develop customized wound patches to release bioactive agents targeting cell function in a controlled manner. Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinted "smart" patches, based on methacrylated gellan gum (GGMA), loaded with tannic acid (TA) or L-ascorbic acid (AA) have been manufactured. To improve stability and degradation time, gellan gum (GG) was chemically modified by grafting methacrylic moieties on the polysaccharide backbone. GGMA patches were characterized through physicochemical, morphological and mechanical evaluation. Kinetics release and antioxidant potential of TA and AA as well as antimicrobial activity against common pathogens Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli in accordance with ISO 22196:2011 are reported. The cytocompatibility of the patches was demonstrated by direct and indirect tests on human dermal fibroblasts (HDF) as per ISO 10993. The positive effect of GGMA patches on cell migration was assessed through a wound healing assay. The results highlighted that the patches are cytocompatible, speed up wound healing and can swell upon contact with the hydration medium and release TA and AA in a controlled way. Overall, the TA- and AA-loaded GGMA patches demonstrated suitable mechanical features; no cytotoxicity; and antioxidant, antimicrobial and wound healing properties, showing satisfactory potential for wound dressing applications.

PRMT1-Mediated Arginine Methylation Promotes Corneal Epithelial Wound Healing via Epigenetic Regulation of ANXA3.

Protein arginine methyltransferase 1 (PRMT1) is an integral constituent of numerous cellular processes. However, its role in corneal epithelial wound healing (CEWH) remains unclear. This study investigates the impact of PRMT1 on cellular mechanisms underlying corneal epithelial repair and its potential to improve wound healing outcomes. The murine CEWH model was established using an Alger brush. Corneal epithelial-specific Prmt1 knockout mice were generated using the Cre-lox system. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analyses determined the expression of candidate genes at mRNA and protein expression levels. Human corneal epithelial cells (HCECs) were transfected with siRNA using Lipofectamine RNAiMAX or infected with lentivirus to precisely alter the expression of PRMT1 or Annexin A3 (ANXA3). EdU and a scratch wound-healing assay evaluated the effects of PRMT1 or ANXA3 on HCEC proliferation and migration, respectively. Rescue experiment and chromatin immunoprecipitation assay validate the correlation between PRMT1 and ANXA3. Prmt1 is significantly upregulated during CEWH, accompanied by an elevated global arginine methylation level. Knockdown of PRMT1 in HCECs or in vivo knockout impairs cell proliferation, migration, and the CEWH process. Furthermore, ANXA3 was identified as a critical target of PRMT1, with PRMT1 enhancing ANXA3 expression through histone arginine methylation at its promoter region, establishing a causal correlation between them. Moreover, PRMT1 can modulate the NF-κB and JNK signaling pathways via ANXA3. PRMT1 is a critical epigenetic regulator in CEWH, promoting wound healing by upregulating ANXA3 via histone arginine methylation. These findings highlight the potential of targeting PRMT1 to enhance corneal epithelial repair.

Iron-based driven chitosan quaternary ammonium salt self-gelling powder: Sealing uncontrollable bleeding and promoting wound healing.

Uncontrollable bleeding poses a significant risk of death and cost in wars, vehicle accidents, and first aid. Hence, in order to seal uncontrollable bleeding and promote wound healing, the Fe3+-driven chitosan quaternary ammonium salt self-gelling powder (QPF) was prepared using 5%QCS/AA/Fe3+ with the 52.72%±0.30% yield. As demonstrated by the results, the QPF had a high liquid absorption rate, mechanical properties, reactive oxygen species scavenging capacity, and bacteriostatic ability. Furthermore, QPF has excellent self-healing characteristics and underwater adherence, making it appropriate for a wide range of wound types. Importantly, this property is influenced by variations in Fe3+ concentration. In the in vitro coagulation experiment, QPF can rapidly capture blood cells, resulting in coagulation within 30s. After applying the QPF to different bleeding models, it immediately formed the self-gel (<2s) that adheres securely to the hemorrhage site. Subsequently, the bleeding site could be promptly closed within 30s, and no blood leaking occurred within 10min. Compared to CS, QPF (200mg) improves wound healing by closing the wound gap, activating M2-type macrophage polarization, increasing neovascularization, and hastening granulation tissue proliferation (1046.0μm±41.9μm). In conclusion, iron-based driven self-gelling powders offer significant promise for limiting uncontrolled bleeding and promoting wound healing.

Trolox derivatives: Synthesis, structure-activity relationship and promote wound healing by regulating oxidative stress and inflammation.

To find new antioxidants, 13 Trolox amides (2a-2m) and 7 Trolox esters (3a-3g) were synthesized and evaluated for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity. Compounds 2e, 2i, 3b and 3d showed potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity, amongst them, 3d demonstrated the most photoprotective effects on UVB-irradiated human skin keratinocyte (HaCaT) cells (IC50=5.13µM) through efficiently scavenging free radicals and dose-dependently reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) and apoptosis generation, as well as effectively promoting wound healing. 3d protected HaCaT cells against oxidative stress, inflammation and cellular damage by the activation of Nrf2/HO-1 signaling and inhibition of NF-κB pathway, further significantly improving wound healing. In acute UVB-induced skin injury mouse model, 3d significantly reduced the level of pro-inflammatory factors, improved the effect of UVB radiation on the activity of antioxidant enzymes, and maintained normal metabolic capacity. In conclusion, 3d may be a potential candidate for developing cosmetics with UVB protective effect.

Double-alternating injectable multifunctional hydrogel based on chitosan for skin wound repair.

Injectable hydrogels can be suitable for any irregular wounds to play an important role in wound healing, which have attracted much attention from researchers. Here, a chitosan-based double alternating injectable hydrogel had been proposed, which aligned with characteristics of wound healing. First of all, carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS) and oxidized gellant (OGG) were used to fabricate above double-alternating injectable hydrogel skeleton (COG) through Schiff base bond. Then, dipotassium glycyrrhizinate (DPG) and bioactive glass (BG) were loaded respectively into COG, forming COG2-D10 and COG2-B0.5 hydrogel. Various properties of above hydrogels such as rheological behaviors, injectable capability, cytocompatibility, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity were systematically investigated. The results indicated that above hydrogel not only had a stable network structure, good toughness, injectability, and excellent adhesive properties, but also exhibited efficient antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, hemostatic, and biocompatible properties. The investigation of in vivo full-thickness skin wound healing showed that compared with COG2-D10 or COG2-B0.5 hydrogel alone, the double-alternating COG2-D10/COG2-B0.5 hydrogel could better enhance the efficacy of drugs, promote cell migration and proliferation, accelerate collagen fiber deposition and neovascularization, and significantly improve wound healing (p < 0.01). Therefore, the double-alternating therapy strategy of hydrogel will provide a new approach for the clinical treatment of skin wound healing.

Overcoming drug delivery challenges with lipid-based nanofibers for enhanced wound repair.

Wound healing is a dynamic, multi-phase process that includes haemostasis, tissue regeneration, cellular proliferation, and matrix modification. Traditional wound care procedures frequently encounter complications such as delayed healing and infection, demanding new therapeutic approaches. In this context, nanomaterial-based devices provide considerable benefits due to their capacity to improve medication delivery and tissue healing. We suggest a lipid-based nanofiber formulation for wound treatment that overcomes the restricted skin penetration of hydrophilic niacin, a strong wound healing agent. Niacin-loaded nanofibers (NLNFs) were manufactured utilizing glyceryl monostearate (GMS) by a self-assembly process, which included high-pressure homogenization and probe sonication for optimum nanostructure creation. The NLNFs were physicochemically characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and surface profilometry to determine their morphology and homogeneity, and a drop shape analyser was used to determine hydrophobicity. In vitro tests revealed prolonged drug release, great cytocompatibility, and strong antioxidant activity, indicating superior free radical scavenging capacity. Ex vivo tests, such as the Draize skin irritation test, skin permeation test, and drug retention assays, revealed low skin irritation, increased permeability, and efficient drug retention in skin layers. In vivo experiments showed rapid wound closure and positive histological results, which were backed by hemocompatibility tests such as hemolysis and whole blood clot analysis, validating the formulation's safety. ELISA results indicated that the NLNF-treated group had higher levels of critical wound-healing indicators than the controls. Overall, our findings suggest that NLNFs have tremendous potential as a unique and effective treatment alternative for controlling and improving wound healing processes.

Unlocking the Healing Potential: A Comprehensive Review of Ecology and Biology of Medical-Grade Honey in Wound Management and Tissue Regeneration.

Honey has long been studied for its healing abilities in wound care. This narrative review examines its properties and their impact on wound healing, particularly its ability to accelerate wound closure and promote tissue regeneration. The review focuses on how honey's botanical origins affect its medical properties and wound-healing capabilities. Finally, clinical studies on honey's effectiveness in wound healing were reviewed compared to traditional treatments. Relevant keywords were searched in databases, yielding 1250 documents. After excluding nonrelevant sources, 450 documents were refined, and 167 articles were selected based on thematic alignment and originality. Data extraction focused on study design, intervention details, and outcomes, with quality assessed using standardized criteria. The study adhered to CONSORT and SANRA guidelines to ensure methodological rigor and reporting transparency. Honey-based medical products have demonstrated significant antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and tissue-regenerative properties, making them highly effective in improving wound healing outcomes, particularly in chronic and burn wounds. These products have also been shown to reduce infection rates and hospital stays. While some studies have reported positive outcomes in accelerating the healing process, others have found no significant difference compared to conventional treatments. Medical-grade honey (MGH) holds potential for wound care due to its versatility, though variations in its composition present challenges. Further research is needed to optimize its clinical use. The effectiveness of MGH in wound healing remains debated, with mixed results from trials. Genetic modification of bees to enhance MGH's properties could make it more competitive against conventional treatments. Honey-based medications could reduce costs, improve energy efficiency, and have minimal side effects. Rigorous research is necessary to determine optimal use and fully unlock MGH's potential, which could revolutionize wound management globally.