Strategy For Wound Healing Research Articles

GSH-depleted Cu-covalent organic frameworks for multimodal synergistic therapy against diabetic infections

Skin wound healing, particularly diabetic wound healing, is a common clinical challenge. Reducing bacterial infection and promoting angiogenesis are key strategies for diabetic wound healing. In this study, we construct the porphyrin-based Cu-covalent organic frameworks (Cu-COF) through a Schiff base condensation reaction, and then functionalize Cu-COF with 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-N-[methoxy(polyethylene glycol)] (mPEG-DSPE), denoted as PEG/Cu-COF, for enhancing diabetic wound healing. PEG/Cu-COF exhibits dual enzymatic properties (glutathione (GSH) oxidase-like and peroxidase (POD)-like nanozymes), facilitating the depletion of GSH and the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) through a self-cascading enzymatic reaction, thereby leading to chemodynamic therapy (CDT). Density functional theory (DFT) calculations are employed to investigate the catalytic mechanism and the results reveal that Cu-COF exhibits higher catalytic activity for POD. Moreover, porphyrin-based COF generates singlet oxygen and localize heating under white light and near-infrared irradiation, respectively. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrate that PEG/Cu-COF exhibits multimodal synergistic sterilization and promotes angiogenesis, collagen deposition, and re-epithelialization during diabetic wound healing. This work highlights the potential utilization of PEG/Cu-COF for self-supplying hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and amplifying self-cascade reactions to address the limitations of enzymatic treatment, while the synergistic effect of phototherapy improves sterilization and minimizes side effects in vivo.

Biomaterials for immunomodulation in wound healing.

The substantial economic impact of non-healing wounds, scarring, and burns stemming from skin injuries is evident, resulting in a financial burden on both patients and the healthcare system. This review paper provides an overview of the skin's vital role in guarding against various environmental challenges as the body's largest protective organ and associated developments in biomaterials for wound healing. We first introduce the composition of skin tissue and the intricate processes of wound healing, with special attention to the crucial role of immunomodulation in both acute and chronic wounds. This highlights how the imbalance in the immune response, particularly in chronic wounds associated with underlying health conditions such as diabetes and immunosuppression, hinders normal healing stages. Then, this review distinguishes between traditional wound-healing strategies that create an optimal microenvironment and recent peptide-based biomaterials that modulate cellular processes and immune responses to facilitate wound closure. Additionally, we highlight the importance of considering the stages of wounds in the healing process. By integrating advanced materials engineering with an in-depth understanding of wound biology, this approach holds promise for reshaping the field of wound management and ultimately offering improved outcomes for patients with acute and chronic wounds.

Novel design and development of Centella Asiatica extract - loaded poloxamer/ZnO nanocomposite wound closure material to improve anti-bacterial action and enhanced wound healing efficacy in diabetic foot ulcer

Diabetic wounds can occur as a prevalent complication among people diagnosed with diabetes, frequently resulting in the necessity for amputation. The cause and effect of diabetic foot ulcer is complex, involving multiple factors. In the present study, wound healing strategies utilizing nanomaterials have proven to be effective in battling bacterial infections and improve wound regeneration. Poloxamers (PLX) exhibit extensive potential as a viable option for the development of nanomedicines owing to their inherent characteristics of self-assembly and encapsulation. This study aims to design and develop a PLX/ZnO nanocomposite incorporated with Centella Asiatica extract (CAE) for the multi-functional action in the diabetic wound healing treatment. Subsequently physico-chemical characterizations, such as XRD, FTIR, and TEM observations, demonstrated that the ZnO were evenly distributed through the PLX framework. The developed nanocomposite was biocompatible with mouse fibroblast cell line (L929), and it had multiple beneficial characteristics, such as a rapid self-healing process and effective antibacterial action against G+ and G− bacterial pathogens. After being treated with the developed formulation, skin fibroblast cell line and HUVECs demonstrated a substantial increase in their in vitro cell proliferation ability, migration, and tube-forming abilities. The utilization of a CAE@PLX/ZnO nanoformulation presents a viable strategy and a distinctive, encouraging composite for diabetic wound healing treatment.

Triboelectric-Responsive Drug Delivery Hydrogel for Accelerating Infected Wound Healing.

Electrotherapy is of great interest in the field of tissue repair as an effective, well-tolerated, and noninvasive treatment. Triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) has shown advantages in promoting wound healing due to its peak output characteristic and low Joule heating effect. However, it is limited in infected wound healing due to poor antimicrobial capacity. Here, a wearable triboelectric stimulator (WTS) is developed that consists of a flexible TENG (F-TENG) and a triboelectric-responsive drug delivery hydrogel (TR-DDH) for healing of bacterium-infected wounds. F-TENG can generate pulsed current to wounds by converting mechanical energy from body movements. Polypyrrole is prone to reduction and volume contraction under electrical stimulation, resulting in desorption of curcumin nanoparticles (CUR NPs) from the polypyrrole in TR-DDH. Therefore, the highly efficient and controllable release of CUR NPs can be achieved by triboelectric stimulation. According to the in vitro and in vivo experiments, WTS has the greatest antimicrobial effect and the fastest promotion of infected wound healing compared to treatment with electrical stimulation or curcumin. Finally, the safety assessment demonstrates that the WTS has excellent tissue safety for chronic wound healing. Synergistic therapy with WTS provides an efficient strategy for chronic wound healing and smart-responsive drug delivery systems.

Platelet-derived extracellular vesicles: a new-generation nanostructured tool for chronic wound healing.

Chronic nonhealing wounds pose a serious challenge to regaining skin function and integrity. Platelet-derived extracellular vesicles (PEVs) are nanostructured particles with the potential to promote wound healing since they can enhance neovascularization and cell migration and reduce inflammation and scarring. This work provides an innovative overview of the technical laboratory issues in PEV production, PEVs' role in chronic wound healingand the benefits and challenges in its clinical translation. The article also explores the challenges of proper sourcing, extraction techniquesand storage conditions, anddiscusses the necessity of further evaluations and combinational therapeutics, including dressing biomaterials, M2-derived exosomes, mesenchymal stem cells-derived extracellular vesiclesand microneedle technology, to boost their therapeutic efficacy as advanced strategies for wound healing.

A novel sprayable thermosensitive hydrogel containing a sulfobutylether-β-cyclodextrin/glabridin inclusion complex promotes wound healing

This study concentrated on developing a novel sprayable hydrogel by the combination of a thermosensitive hydrogel (Pluronic F-127, PF-127) and an inclusion complex of glabridin (GLD) and sulfobutylether-β-cyclodextrin (SBE-β-CD). GLD was encapsulated into SBE-β-CD by the freeze-drying method. The successful encapsulation of the inclusion complex was verified by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). The prepared GLD/SBE-β-CD inclusion complex exhibited 93.24%～96.46% encapsulation efficiency and 11.24%～11.93% loading capacity, and GLD/SBE-β-CD showed excellent biocompatibility on human vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) and erythrocytes. GLD/SBE-β-CD inclusion complex exerts higher antioxidant and antibacterial activity than GLD alone. The GLD/SBE-β-CD inclusion complex was well dispersed within 20% PF-127 solution to form the PF-127/GLD/SBE-β-CD hydrogel. Introducing the inclusion complex into the PF-127 hydrogel did not influence its loose and porous structure, while PF-127/GLD/SBE-β-CD hydrogel demonstrated controlled GLD release in a sustained manner. The full-thickness skin wound model showed that the PF-127/GLD/SBE-β-CD hydrogel accelerated the healing of traumatic skin defects. In one aspect, the porous and biocompatible structure of the hydrogel provides favorable conditions for skin cell adhesion and proliferation. In another respect, GLD in therapeutic hydrogel markedly promotes the angiogenesis of endothelial cells, and the migration of keratinocytes. It also presents excellent antibacterial properties in wound surface. Taken together, this work established a novel sprayable hydrogel (PF-127/GLD/SBE-β-CD) and proved that it is an effective strategy for traumatic wound healing.

Traditional Chinese medicine Qingre Huoxue decoction enhances wound healing in through modulation of angiogenic and inflammatory pathways.

This study investigates the therapeutic potential of Qingre Huoxue Decoction (QHD), a traditional Chinese herbal formulation, in promoting wound healing in an imiquimod-induced murine model of psoriasis. The research was driven by the need for effective wound healing strategies in psoriatic conditions, where conventional treatments often fall short. Employing a combination of in vivo and in vitro methodologies, we assessed the effects of QHD on key factors associated with wound healing. Our results showed that QHD treatment significantly reduced the expression of angiogenic proteins HIF-1α, FLT-1, and VEGF, and mitigated inflammatory responses, as evidenced by the decreased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and increased expression of IL-10. Furthermore, QHD enhanced the expression of genes essential for wound repair. In vitro assays with HUVECs corroborated the anti-angiogenic effects of QHD. Conclusively, the study highlights QHD's efficacy in enhancing wound healing in psoriatic conditions by modulating angiogenic and inflammatory pathways, presenting a novel therapeutic avenue in psoriasis wound management.

Multiple integrated computational approach to analyse wound healing potential of Symplocos racemosa bark as Matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors

The healing of wounds is the flagging concern in chronic wound cases especially when accompanied by pathogenic, diabetic comorbidities. Matrix metalloproteinases are associated with widespread pathological ailments, and the selective inhibitors for metalloproteinases can be of great interest in wound healing strategies. In the present research study, six constituents of Symplocos racemosa Roxb were evaluated for the docking aptitudes on human matrix metalloproteinase MMP 2 (PDB ID: 1QIB) and MMP 9 (PDB ID: 4H1Q) utilising Autodock Vina followed by the visualisation using Discovery studio (DS). The Pymol was used to generate the poses and the best binding pose was chosen for the docking aptitudes. 2D interactions and the 3D poses of the docked complex were accomplished using DS and LigPlot + software respectively. Working on SWISS ADME and OSIRIS software accomplished the physicochemical characteristics, absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, molecular properties, bioactivity score, and toxicity predictions. The molecule’s physiochemical investigations discovered that all of the ligands comply with Lipinski’s rule of five except compound 6, which deviated with two violations. Docking studies against 4H1Q revealed that compounds 1, 3, 5 and 6 exhibited maximum interactions with the target protein, with the free binding energies of −8.3 kJ Mol−1, −9.3 kJ Mol−1, −7.2 kJ Mol−1 and −11.0 kJ Mol−1 respectively. In case of the 1QIB target, compounds 1, 3 and 6 displayed remarkable binding energies of −8.7 kJ mol−1, −9.0 kJ mol−1 and −8.8 kJ mol−1. Bioactivity prediction study revealed that all of the selected Phytoconstituents displayed incredible Bioactivity scores. None of the selected chemical compounds was found to be irritant to the skin as discovered by toxicity studies. The contacts of the ligand-protein complex during the simulation studies revealed that the H-bond interactions of the ligands with LEU188, ALA189, GLN402, ARG420, MET422, PRO421, and ARG424 of 4H1Q were stable for more than 30% of the simulation time. It was thus concluded that the tested compounds predominantly compounds 1, 5 and 6 might rank among the vital supplementary lead drugs in chronic wounds and healing complexities. It is also worth noting the potential aptitude of the compound 3, however, its toxicity concern must be considered.

Deciphering Early-Stage Molecular Mechanisms of Negative Pressure Wound Therapy in a Murine Model.

Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) is a commonly employed clinical strategy for wound healing, yet its early-stage mechanisms remain poorly understood. To address this knowledge gap and overcome the limitations of human trials, we establish an NPWT C57BL/6JNarl mouse model to investigate the molecular mechanisms involved in NPWT. In this study, we investigate the intricate molecular mechanisms through which NPWT expedites wound healing. Our focus is on NPWT's modulation of inflammatory immune responses and the concurrent orchestration of multiple signal transduction pathways, resulting in shortened coagulation time and reduced inflammation. Notably, we observe a significant rise in dickkopf-related protein 1 (DKK-1) concentration during NPWT, promoting the differentiation of Hair Follicle Stem Cells (HFSCs) into epidermal cells, expediting wound closure. Under negative pressure, macrophages express and release DKK-1 cytokines, crucial for stimulating HFSC differentiation, as validated in animal experiments and in vitro studies. Our findings illuminate the inflammatory dynamics under NPWT, revealing potential signal transduction pathways. The proposed framework, involving early hemostasis, balanced inflammation, and macrophage-mediated DKK-1 induction, provides a novel perspective on enhancing wound healing during NPWT. Furthermore, these insights lay the groundwork for future pharmacological advancements in managing extensive wounds, opening avenues for targeted therapeutic interventions in wound care.

Wound pH-Modulating Strategies for Diabetic Wound Healing.

Significance: Chronic diabetic wounds on the lower extremities (diabetic foot ulcers, DFU) are one of the most prevalent and life-threatening complications of diabetes, responsible for significant loss of quality of life and cost to the health care system. Available pharmacologic treatments fail to achieve complete healing in many patients. Recent studies and investigational treatments have highlighted the potential of modulating wound pH in DFU. Recent Advances: Data from in vitro, preclinical, and clinical studies highlight the role of pH in the pathophysiology of DFU, and topical administration of pH-lowering agents have shown promise as a therapeutic strategy for diabetic wounds. In this critical review, we describe the role of pH in DFU pathophysiology and present selected low-molecular-weight and hydrogel-based pH-modulating systems for wound healing and infection control in diabetic wounds. Critical Issues: The molecular mechanisms leading to pH alterations in diabetic wounds are complex and may differ between in vitro models, animal models of diabetes, and the human pathophysiology. Wound pH-lowering bandages for DFU therapy must be tested in established animal models of diabetic wound healing and patients with diabetes to establish a comprehensive benefit-risk profile. Future Directions: As our understanding of the role of pH in the pathophysiology of diabetic wounds is deepening, new treatments for this therapeutic target are being developed and will be tested in preclinical and clinical studies. These therapeutic systems will establish a target product profile for pH-lowering treatments such as an optimal pH profile for each wound healing stage. Thus, controlling wound bed pH could become a powerful tool to accelerate chronic diabetic wound healing.

Versatile Bioactive Glass/Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-8-Based Skin Scaffolds toward High-Performance Wound Healing.

Designing a novel biomaterial for wound healing is based on biocompatibility and excellent mechanical strength. In this study, bioactive glass (BG) and zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) have been incorporated into poly(ε-caprolactone)/poly(vinyl alcohol) (PCL/PVA) composite skin scaffolds via microfluidic electrospinning. Interestingly, the addition of ZIF-8 further strengthens the BG stability and demonstrates better antibacterial effects. Utilizing the slow release of Zn, Ca, and Si ions, it also significantly promotes growth factor expression and skin regeneration. In addition, it is further demonstrated by in vitro and in vivo studies that the prepared composite skin scaffolds possess excellent biocompatibility, antibacterial capabilities, and mechanical properties. The prepared BG/ZIF-8-loaded scaffold possesses high tensile strength (26 MPa) and excellent antibacterial properties (achieves 89.64 and 78.8% inhibition of E. coli and S. aureus, respectively), and cell viability increased by 51.2%. More importantly, the wound shrinkage of the BG/ZIF-8-loaded scaffold is better than that of an unloaded scaffold, and the shrinkage rates of PCL/PVA@BG/ZIF-8(1 wt %) group is 95% with 2.2 mm granulation growth thickness within 12 days. Thus, the composite skin scaffold loaded with BG/ZIF-8 prepared by microfluidic electrospinning provides a new perspective for accelerating wound healing and is a potential novel therapeutic strategy for efficient wound healing.

Stem Cells and Regenerative Strategies for Wound Healing: Therapeutic and Clinical Implications

Stem Cells and Regenerative Strategies for Wound Healing: Therapeutic and Clinical Implications

Histological Assessment of the Effect Laser Irradiation on Full-Thickness Skin Wound Healing in Rabbits Models

Since there is currently no ideal treatment, wound healing impairment is a significant clinical challenge that is the subject of ongoing research into effective wound healing strategies. As a result, it has been demonstrated that low level laser therapy (LLLT), which is used for wound healing, can effectively control both the local and the systemic response. This study was conducted on 24 adult, clinically healthy male rabbits for this purpose. On each animal's back, full-thickness excisional wounds measuring 2 cm x 2 cm were created following sterile skin preparation. The animals were randomly split into two equal groups, each with twelve rabbits. In the group that acts as a control; 5 milliliters of phosphate-buffered saline was used to treat wounds. In the group treated; for the first seven days, the wounds were only treated with (LLLT) at a rate of 5/5 second at 8j/cm2. At the seventh, fourteenth, and 35th days of healing, histopathological biopsies were performed. The control group's histopathology revealed hemorrhage with inflammatory cell infiltration, primarily neutrophils, and congested blood vessels in the gap seven days after surgery. Necrotized neutrophils, hemolysis, and granulation tissue under the dermis were present in the gap at fourteen days. Between the muscle fibers, there was hemolysis. At 35 days, there was irregular proliferation of fibrous connective tissue, and congested blood vessels with mononuclear cell infiltration could be seen in the gap. At seven days, the treated group has completely sloughed the epidermis and a thin crust on the skin's surface with a small incision. In the dermis, there is a lot of infiltration of inflammatory cells, mostly lymphocytes and macrophages. There is also a lot of granulation tissue and a lot of adipose tissue with a lot of thick collagen network. At fourteen days, the epidermis' epithelial layers have healed completely and a keratinized layer is present. In the dermis, a proliferating and thick collagen network, scattered inflammatory cells, and regular fibrosis with hemorrhage and the development of a new B.V. At day 35, look for narrow scar tissue with complete epithelization, a keratinized layer above the epidermis, new vascularization with a lot of regular fibrosis and few regular collagen, new hair follicles, new blood vessels, and scattered macrophages. We concluded that full-thickness wound healing is positively influenced by the use of low level laser therapy (LLLT), which creates a microenvironment favorable to cell growth and differentiation.

Facile preparation of self-healing hydrogels based on chitosan and PVA with the incorporation of curcumin-loaded micelles for wound dressings

The increased demand for improved strategies for wound healing has, in recent years, motivated the development of multifunctional hydrogels with favorable bio-compatibility and antibacterial properties. To this regard, the current study presented the design of a novel self-healing composite hydrogel that could perform as wound dressing for the promotion of wound healing. The composite hydrogels were composed of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), borax and chitosan functionalized with sialic acid (SA-CS) and curcumin loaded pluronic F127 micelles. The hydrogels were formed through the boronic ester bond formation between PVA, SA-CS and borax under physiological conditions and demonstrated adjustable mechanical properties, gelation kinetics and antibacterial properties. When incubating with NIH3T3 cells, the hydrogels also demonstrated good biocompatibility. These aspects offer a promising foundation for their prospective applications in developing clinical materials for wound healing.

Porous Collagen Sponge Loaded with Large Efficacy-Potentiated Exosome-Mimicking Nanovesicles for Diabetic Skin Wound Healing.

Diabetic skin wounds are difficult to heal quickly due to insufficient angiogenesis and prolonged inflammation, which is an urgent clinical problem. To address this clinical problem, it becomes imperative to develop a dressing that can promote revascularization and reduce inflammation during diabetic skin healing. Herein, a multifunctional collagen dressing (CTM) was constructed by loading large efficacy-potentiated exosome-mimicking nanovesicles (L-Meseomes) into a porous collagen sponge with transglutaminase (TGase). L-Meseomes were constructed in previous research with the function of promoting cell proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis and inhibiting inflammation. CTM has a three-dimensional porous network structure with good biocompatibility, swelling properties, and degradability and could release L-Meseome slowly. In vitro experiments showed that CTM could promote the proliferation of fibroblasts and the polarization of macrophages to the anti-inflammatory phenotype. For in vivo experiments, on the 21st day after surgery, the wound healing rates of the control and CTM were 83.026 ± 4.17% and 93.12 ± 2.16%, respectively; the epidermal maturation and dermal differentiation scores in CTM were approximately four times that of the control group, and the skin epidermal thickness of the CTM group was approximately 20 μm, which was closest to that of normal rats. CTM could significantly improve wound healing in diabetic rats by promoting anti-inflammation, angiogenesis, epidermal recovery, and dermal collagen deposition. In summary, the multifunctional collagen dressing CTM could significantly promote the healing of diabetic skin wounds, which provides a new strategy for diabetic wound healing in the clinic.

Antibiotics against Pseudomonas aeruginosa on Human Skin Cell Lines: Determination of the Highest Non-Cytotoxic Concentrations with Antibiofilm Capacity for Wound Healing Strategies.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the most common microorganisms causing infections of severe skin wounds. Antibiotic or antiseptic treatments are crucial to prevent and curb these infections. Antiseptics have been reported to be cytotoxic to skin cells and few studies evaluate the impact of commonly used antibiotics. This study evaluates how clinical antibiotics affect skin cells' viability, proliferation, migration, and cytokine secretion and defines the highest non-cytotoxic concentrations that maintain antibacterial activity. Cell proliferation, viability, and migration were evaluated on cell monolayers. Cytokines related to the wound healing process were determined. The minimum inhibitory concentrations and the impact on bacterial biofilm were assessed. Results showed that 0.02 mg/mL ciprofloxacin and 1 mg/mL meropenem are the highest non-cytotoxic concentrations for fibroblasts and keratinocytes while 1.25 mg/mL amikacin and 0.034 mg/mL colistin do not affect fibroblasts' viability and cytokine secretion but have an impact on keratinocytes. These concentrations are above the minimum inhibitory concentration but only amikacin could eradicate the biofilm. For the other antibiotics, cytotoxic concentrations are needed to eradicate the biofilm. Combinations with colistin at non-cytotoxic concentrations effectively eliminate the biofilm. These results provide information about the concentrations required when administering topical antibiotic treatments on skin lesions, and how these antibiotics affect wound management therapies. This study set the basis for the development of novel antibacterial wound healing strategies such as antibiotic artificial skin substitutes.

Dual-Drug-Loaded Core-Shell Electrospun Nanofiber Dressing for Deep Burns.

The epidermis of a deep burn wound is entirely absent and the dermal tissue sustains significant damage, accompanied by a substantial amount of tissue exudate. Due to the excessively humid environment, the formation of a scab on the wound becomes challenging, leaving it highly vulnerable to external bacterial invasion. In this work, a core-shell dual-drug-loaded nanofiber dressing was prepared by electrospinning technology for the synergistic treatment of a deep burn. The shell layer consists of polycaprolactone and chitosan encapsulating asiaticoside, with the core layer comprising the clathrate of 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin and curcumin. Upon application to the wound, the dual-drug-loaded nanofiber dressing exhibited rapid release of asiaticoside, stimulating collagen deposition and promoting tissue repair. The core-shell structure and clathrate configuration ensured sustained release of curcumin, providing antibacterial and anti-inflammatory functions for the wound. The mechanical strength, broad-spectrum antibacterial ability, cell proliferation, and adhesion ability of the nanofiber dressing showed its potential as a medical dressing. This dressing also exhibited excellent wound healing promoting effects in the SD rat burn model. This paper provides a strategy for burn wound healing.

Quercetin-encapsulated GelMa hydrogel microneedle reduces oxidative stress and facilitates wound healing

BackgroundDelayed wound healing brings additional physical, mental, and financial burdens. Microneedles (MNs) are a novel dressing form and can incorporate drug delivery systems. Quercetin is known for its remarkable antioxidant capacity and may have a distinctive effect on wound healing. MethodsWe designed and constructed gelatin methacryloyl (GelMa) MNs carrying Quercetin (Q-MNs). In vitro, the physical properties, cell safety, cell migration, angiogenesis, collagen formation, and oxidative stress levels, were performed to characterize Q-MNs. In vivo, the full-thickness skin wound models were established to evaluate the re-epithelialization and oxidative stress impact of the control, MN, and Q-MN groups. ResultsThe Q-MNs were mechanically strong enough to penetrate the skin for sustained drug delivery and possessed good biocompatibility. Moreover, the Q-MNs evidently facilitated wound healing both in vitro and in vivo, and promoted collagen formation and neo-angiogenesis, and the reduction of oxidative stress levels. ConclusionsThe Q-MNs could motivate wound healing with enhanced collagen formation and vascularization and decreased oxidative stress levels, thus providing a feasible strategy for wound healing.

Antibacterial microneedle patch releases oxygen to enhance diabetic wound healing

Cell growth and metabolism require an adequate supply of oxygen. However, obtaining sufficient oxygen from the blood circulating around diabetic wounds is challenging. Nevertheless, achieving a continuous and stable oxygen supply is required for these wounds to heal. Hence, in this study, we report a novel antibacterial oxygen-producing silk fibroin methacryloyl hydrogel microneedle (MN) patch comprising tips encapsulated with calcium peroxide and catalase and a base coated with antibacterial Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs). The tip of the MN patch continuously releases oxygen and inhibits the production of reactive oxygen species. This accelerates diabetic wound healing by promoting cellular accretion and migration, macrophage M2 polarization, and angiogenesis. The AgNPs at the base of the MN patch effectively combat microbial infection, further facilitating wound repair. These findings suggest that using this multifunctional oxygen-producing MN patch may be a promising strategy for diabetic wound healing in clinical settings.

A double-network porous hydrogel based on high internal phase emulsions as a vehicle for potassium sucrose octasulfate delivery accelerates diabetic wound healing.

Diabetic wounds are a difficult medical challenge. Excessive secretion of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in diabetic wounds further degrades the extracellular matrix and growth factors and causes severe vascular damage, which seriously hinders diabetic wound healing. To solve these issues, a double-network porous hydrogel composed of poly (methyl methacrylate-co-acrylamide) (p(MMA-co-AM)) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) was constructed by the high internal phase emulsion (HIPE) technique for the delivery of potassium sucrose octasulfate (PSO), a drug that can inhibit MMPs, increase angiogenesis and improve microcirculation. The hydrogel possessed a typical polyHIPE hierarchical microstructure with interconnected porous morphologies, high porosity, high specific surface area, excellent mechanical properties and suitable swelling properties. Meanwhile, the p(MMA-co-AM)/PVA@PSO hydrogel showed high drug-loading performance and effective PSO release. In addition, both in vitro and in vivo studies showed that the p(MMA-co-AM)/PVA@PSO hydrogel had good biocompatibility and significantly accelerated diabetic wound healing by inhibiting excessive MMP-9 in diabetic wounds, increasing growth factor secretion, improving vascularization, increasing collagen deposition and promoting re-epithelialization. Therefore, this study provided a reliable therapeutic strategy for diabetic wound healing, some theoretical basis and new insights for the rational design and preparation of wound hydrogel dressings with high porosity, high drug-loading performance and excellent mechanical properties.