The Effect of Local Use of Insulin on Wound-Ulcer in Diabetic or Non-Diabetic Patients: A Scoping Review

Insulin regulates numerous metabolic functions and plays a pivotal role in the regulation of cellular growth. This scoping review was conducted due to insufficient evidence regarding the effects of topical insulin administration on ulcer-wound healing in adults, both with and without Diabetes Mellitus (DM). The main objective of this review was to investigate whether the local application of insulin to ulcers-wounds could be used safely to promote faster healing of ulcers. We conducted a comprehensive search of PubMed, Cochrane, and EBSCO databases for primary studies, with no date restrictions. Clinical trials, both randomized and non-randomized, involving adults (> 19 years) with wounds-ulcers, regardless of DM status, were included. A total number of 173 articles were initially identified. Following the application of the PICOS criteria, 14 articles were included in the study. The analysis revealed that topical insulin, via injection or dressing, accelerates ulcer healing, indicating its role beyond blood glucose regulation. The majority of studies reported better wound size reduction and closure with insulin than alternative treatments, with local injection being most effective. In most cases, applying insulin to wounds did not cause adverse effects. The review concluded that insulin may be a valuable addition to standard ulcer care treatments.