A poly(tannic acid) particle-supported β-glucan/chitosan hydrogel for managing oral ulcers in diabetes

In the management of diabetic oral ulcers, current treatments frequently fall short due to complications from bacterial contamination, oxidative damage, and impaired angiogenesis. These shortcomings highlight the pressing need for more efficacious interventions that not only circumvent these issues but also expedite healing processes. To bridge this gap, we have introduced a novel hydrogel patch, POQ2 [a poly(tannic acid) particle-incorporated oxidized β-glucan/quaternized chitosan hydrogel]. POQ2 demonstrated significant improvements in healing outcomes by enhancing bacterial clearance (up to 99.7 % against Escherichia coli and 99.2 % against Staphylococcus aureus), reducing oxidative stress through efficient ROS scavenging (70.2 % reduction in DPPH radicals), and promoting angiogenesis. In vivo experiments on diabetic rat models showed accelerated wound closure and reduced IL-6 inflammatory markers, with nearly complete ulcer healing within seven days. The introduction of POQ2 into clinical protocols represents a substantial advancement in the management of diabetic oral ulcers, promising not only improved patient outcomes but also a shift in the standard of care in this challenging clinical area. This innovation not only fills a significant gap in diabetic wound care but also sets a new benchmark for the development of future treatments, potentially influencing broader therapeutic strategies for managing complex diabetic wounds.