Wound Healing Potential of Selenium and Nanoselenium

Wound healing is a dynamic process that begins immediately after tissue damage and is divided into four main stages: hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling. Increased intake of the trace element selenium is critical for tissue repair. Selenium plays a key role in wound healing by regulating antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial status. The purpose of this review is to highlight the role of the essential trace element selenium, both in its pure form and as part of nanocomposites and selenoproteins, in regulating wound healing by analyzing and summarizing a large body of research over the past five years. This review provides a comprehensive description of recent developments in the synthesis and theranostic applications of nanocomposites containing nanoselenium, highlighting their growing importance in healthcare. This review is the first to combine studies of the wound healing properties of various selenium-containing compounds and selenoproteins that exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, and other activities. Particular attention is paid to the role of nanoselenium, particularly those obtained through "green" synthesis methods, emphasizing their eco-friendliness and cost-effectiveness in biosensors, diagnostics, imaging, and therapeutic applications. The review presents evidence that the use of selenium in the treatment of diabetic wounds is proving to be a promising and effective tool in therapy and care. The data presented in the review will not only expand our understanding of the importance of selenium in regulating wound healing processes but will also help identify the most effective forms of selenium-containing compounds for wound therapy.