Innovative scaffold-based strategies for diabetic wound healing: progress and prospects

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine
• Wound Healing

Background:

• Diabetic wounds exhibit chronic inflammation, impaired healing, and high recurrence rates, affecting millions globally.
• Diabetic foot ulcers impact 15-25% of diabetes patients, with conventional dressings proving insufficient.
• Scaffold-based biomaterials offer a regenerative approach to manage complex diabetic wound pathophysiology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review scaffold design principles for diabetic wound management.
• To discuss biomaterial selection and modification strategies for advanced wound healing.
• To highlight the translational potential of scaffold-based therapies.

Main Methods:

• Review of recent advances in nanofibrous scaffolds, hydrogels, and decellularized extracellular matrices.
• Analysis of scaffold properties supporting cell adhesion, proliferation, and bioactive agent delivery.
• Evaluation of preclinical data on scaffold efficacy in diabetic wound models.

Main Results:

• Scaffold biomaterials create a 3D microenvironment conducive to healing.
• Recent scaffolds demonstrate enhanced angiogenesis, reduced inflammation, and accelerated wound closure.
• Over 90% wound contraction achieved in 14-21 days in preclinical diabetic models.

Conclusions:

• Scaffold-based biomaterials represent a promising therapeutic strategy for diabetic wound management.
• Optimized scaffold design and biomaterial selection are crucial for translational success.
• Emerging modification strategies enhance the efficacy of these regenerative platforms.