A systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the effectiveness of exosome for diabetic wounds

Exosomes, small endosome-derived membrane vesicles, have shown significant potential as wound healing therapies. However, translating experimental research into commercially available treatments remains a challenge.

This systematic review and meta-analysis provide a comprehensive evaluation of the current research on exosome-based wound healing therapies.

A systematic search of PubMed and Google Scholar was conducted to identify full-text articles published between 2010 and February 2024 on mammalian-derived exosomes in wound healing. Of 138 identified studies, 19 met the inclusion criteria for meta-analysis.

Exosome-based therapies were found to enhance wound healing by promoting angiogenesis, re-epithelialization, and collagen deposition while reducing scar formation. However, research in this area is highly variable, with differences in cell sources, biomaterials, and delivery methods.

Further comparative studies are needed to optimize cellular sources, delivery systems, and biomaterials. The reliance on rodent models remains a limitation, as progress toward large-scale testing and more advanced in vivo models has been slow. Addressing these challenges is crucial for the clinical translation of exosome-based therapies into scalable, commercially viable wound healing treatments.