Alginate hydrogel film reinforced with Fe₃O₄@SiO₂/Schiff-base/Cu(II) nanoparticles in promoting diabetic wound...

In the quest to enhance diabetic wound healing, we synthesized Fe₃O₄@SiO₂/Schiff-base complex of Cu(II) magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) embedded in sodium alginate hydrogel. This study analyzed the effects of 1% and 10% Cu(II) nanoparticles (NPs) concentrations on wound closure and tissue regeneration in a diabetic rat model. Streptozotocin-induced diabetic Sprague-Dawley rats were used to evaluate the in vivo efficacy of NPs. Characterization involved digital photography for wound closure quantification, histopathological analysis for tissue repair assessment, and statistical methods for data interpretation. Our findings indicated that the 1% Cu nanoparticle (NP) -embedded hydrogel significantly improved wound healing, including enhanced reepithelialization, collagen deposition, neovascularization, granulation tissue formation, and fibroblast activation, while also reducing inflammation. The 10% Cu NP formulation did not demonstrate the same level of efficacy, suggesting a concentration-dependent therapeutic window for copper ion release. This novel NP hydrogel showcases the potential of copper-based NPs in diabetic wound management, offering a cost-effective and promising approach for treating a global health issue.