Advancing Chronic Wound Healing through Electrical Stimulation and Adipose-Derived Stem Cells

Chronic cutaneous wounds are a major clinical challenge worldwide due to delayed healing, recurrent infections, and resistance to conventional therapies. Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) have shown promise as a cell-based therapy, but their therapeutic efficacy is often compromised by the harsh microenvironment of chronic wounds. Recent advances in bioengineering, particularly the application of electrical stimulation (ES), offer an innovative approach to enhancing the regenerative properties of ASCs. By restoring the natural electrical current in the wound, ES provides a strong stimulus to the cells involved in healing, thereby accelerating the overall wound-healing process. Recent studies show that ASCs can be significantly activated by ES, which increases their viability, proliferation, migration, and secretory capacity, all of which are crucial for the proper healing of chronic wounds. This review examines the synergistic effects of ES and ASCs on wound healing, focusing on the biological mechanisms involved. The review also highlights novel self-powered systems and other emerging technologies such as advanced conductive materials and devices that promise to improve the clinical translation of ES-based treatments. By summarizing the current state of knowledge, this review aims to provide a framework for future research and clinical application of ES and ASCs in wound care.