Treatment of diabetic infection wounds using novel fluoroborane dipyrrole-coated transparent patch

Diabetic wounds complicated by bacterial infections present a significant clinical challenge, and cause a great burden to the world's health care systems. Infections by bacteria, especially drug-resistant bacteria, is the major underlying factor leading to diabetic wounds. Here, we synthesized a series of fluoroborane dipyrrole compounds that can be activated under ambient light conditions, and identified one compound with potent antibacterial action. The compound has a maximum absorption wavelength of 538 nm, close to the maximum emission wavelength of sunlight, making it particularly suitable for incorporation into transparent antimicrobial patches. We fabricated such a patch and evaluated its therapeutic potential in a murine model of diabetic wounds infected with drug-resistant bacteria. The experimental results showed that the patch not only eradicates drug-resistant bacterial strains but also promoted wound healing under ambient light. Furthermore, the compound exhibited a high level of biosafety. This work developed an effective and safe method to combat bacterial skin infections associated with diabetic wounds.