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Nb2C-Reinforced Hydrogel Microneedle as Dual ROS-Scavenging Platform to Promote Diabetic Wound Healing

Zhi Zheng1, Heyan Huang1, Xiangru Chen1

  • 1Department of Plastic Surgery, Tongren Hospital of Wuhan University (Wuhan Third Hospital), Wuhan, Hubei, P. R. China.

Advanced Healthcare Materials
|February 4, 2026
PubMed

Insights

This study presents a dual ROS-scavenging microneedle system using niobium carbide and curcumin to treat diabetic wounds. The innovative platform accelerates wound healing by reducing inflammation and promoting tissue regeneration.

Area of Science:

  • Biomaterials Science
  • Nanotechnology
  • Wound Healing Research

Background:

  • Excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) production impairs diabetic wound healing by causing inflammation and inhibiting angiogenesis.
  • Current treatments struggle to effectively eliminate ROS in the wound microenvironment.
  • Diabetic wounds present a significant clinical challenge due to delayed healing and infection susceptibility.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a dual ROS-scavenging platform for enhanced diabetic wound healing.
  • To investigate the synergistic effects of niobium carbide (Nb2C) and curcumin (Cur) in a hydrogel microneedle (MN) system.
  • To provide a novel therapeutic strategy for refractory diabetic wounds.

Main Methods:

  • Fabrication of UV-crosslinked hydrogel microneedles (MNs) incorporating Nb2C nanoparticles and curcumin (Cur).
  • Utilized curcumin as a primary extracellular ROS scavenger and Nb2C as a secondary intracellular ROS scavenger activated by near-infrared (NIR) irradiation.
  • Evaluated the platform's efficacy in promoting macrophage repolarization, angiogenesis, and antibacterial effects.
  • Assessed the therapeutic effect on full-thickness diabetic wound healing in vivo.

Main Results:

  • The Nb2C-CurCD-GelMA MNs demonstrated a dual ROS-scavenging mechanism, neutralizing both extracellular and intracellular ROS.
  • NIR irradiation enhanced the release of curcumin and activated Nb2C's peroxidase-mimicking activity for synergistic ROS elimination.
  • The system effectively reduced inflammation, promoted M1 to M2 macrophage repolarization, and facilitated angiogenesis.
  • In vivo studies showed significantly accelerated healing of full-thickness diabetic wounds with the Nb2C-CurCD-GelMA MNs.

Conclusions:

  • The developed Nb2C-CurCD-GelMA MNs offer a sophisticated and safe treatment for diabetic wounds.
  • The dual ROS-scavenging and NIR-enhanced approach effectively balances the oxidative microenvironment, promoting healing.
  • This strategy holds promise for managing complex, non-healing diabetic wounds by coordinating anti-inflammatory and regenerative processes.
Keywords:
ROS‐scavengingcurcumindiabetic wound healingmicroneedleniobium carbide nanosheet

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