Activatable Fluorescent Probe for Real-Time Hydrogen Peroxide Imaging in Cells and Diabetic Wounds

Persistent inflammation and compromised tissue regeneration make diabetic wounds (DWs) a severe complication of diabetes mellitus (DM), often resulting in poor clinical outcomes. The scarcity of reliable markers for early evaluation creates a need for sensitive, minimally invasive approaches that can follow disease status. We investigated HD-H₂O₂, a fluorescent reporter built on a hemicyanine scaffold, for selective recognition of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). Characterization of its analytical and biological properties demonstrated preferential H₂O₂ responsiveness, physicochemical stability, and suitable biocompatibility. In biological models relevant to DW, probe activation allowed H₂O₂-associated changes to be visualized by fluorescence. These observations support the use of HD-H₂O₂ to follow H₂O₂ variations in real time during diabetes-related pathological processes. The findings also advance understanding of oxidative stress in diabetic injury and provide an analytical foundation for subsequent studies of diagnosis and treatment.