Revolutionary Treatments: Phytochemicals and Nanotechnology Offer Hope for Diabetic Wound Healing

October 1, 2024
Revolutionary Treatments: Phytochemicals and Nanotechnology Offer Hope for Diabetic Wound Healing
  • Diabetes mellitus affects over 340 million people globally, with projections suggesting this number could rise to 700 million by 2040, leading to an increase in diabetic wounds.

  • Diabetes-related ulcers, particularly diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs), pose significant health risks, with mortality rates ranging from 10% after 16 months to 24% after five years.

  • Macrophages play a critical role in wound resolution and repair, and their dysfunction is linked to chronic wounds commonly seen in diabetes.

  • Diabetic wounds encounter numerous challenges to healing, including vasculopathy, neuropathy, chronic inflammation, and reduced growth factor activity.

  • The study emphasizes the need for alternative treatments for diabetic wounds due to issues like antibiotic resistance and the side effects of conventional medications.

  • Advanced therapies, including the use of nanoparticles like nano-silver and stem cells, are being investigated to promote healing in diabetic ulcers.

  • Bioactive dressings, polymeric nanofibers, and particularly electrospun silk fibroin nanofibers, offer significant potential for enhancing drug delivery and supporting wound healing processes.

  • Chronic wounds in diabetic patients can take over 10 to 12 weeks to heal and may lead to severe complications, including limb amputation.

  • A systematic review of literature from 1999 to 2024 identified 212 relevant studies on phytochemicals and their effects on diabetic wound healing.

  • Phytochemicals like curcumin have demonstrated antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, making them promising for treating diabetic foot ulcers.

  • Bioactive phytochemicals such as flavonoids, saponins, phenolic compounds, and polysaccharides are shown to aid in wound healing through various mechanisms.

  • Phytochemicals can influence immune regulation, enhancing processes like macrophage migration and cytokine activation.

Summary based on 2 sources


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