Using Hybrid MnO₂-Au Nanoflowers to Accelerate ROS Scavenging and Wound Healing in Diabetes

Objectives: Excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) in diabetic wounds are major contributors to chronic wounds and impaired healing, posing significant challenges in regenerative medicine. Developing innovative drug delivery systems is crucial to address these issues by modifying the adverse microenvironment and promoting effective wound healing. Methods: Herein, we designed a novel drug delivery platform using manganese dioxide nanoflower hybridized gold nanoparticle composites (MnO₂-Au) synthesized via a hydrothermal reaction, and investigated the potential of MnO₂-Au nanoflowers to relieve the high oxidative stress microenvironment and regulate diabetic wound tissue healing. Results: This hybrid material demonstrated superior catalytic activity compared to MnO₂ alone, enabling the rapid decomposition of hydrogen peroxide and a substantial reduction in ROS levels within dermal fibroblasts. The MnO₂-Au nanoflowers also facilitated enhanced dermal fibroblast migration and Col-I expression, which are critical for tissue regeneration. Additionally, a hydrogel-based wound dressing incorporating MnO₂-Au nanoflowers was developed, showing its potential as an intelligent drug delivery system. This dressing significantly reduced oxidative stress, accelerated wound closure, and improved the quality of neonatal epithelial tissue regeneration in a diabetic rat skin defect model. Conclusions: Our findings underscore the potential of MnO₂-Au nanoflower-based drug delivery systems as a promising therapeutic approach for chronic wound healing, particularly in regenerative medicine.