Advanced multifunctional hydrogels for diabetic foot ulcer healing: Active substances and biological functions

• Published in: Journal of diabetes 2024-04, Vol.16 (4), p.e13537-n/a
• Main Authors: Li, Yuetong, Leng, Yuxin, Liu, Yang, Zhong, Jianhua, Li, Jiaxin, Zhang, Shitong, Li, Zhenlin, Yang, Kaming, Kong, Xinyi, Lao, Wanwen, Bi, Changlong, Zhai, Aixia
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: biological functions; classification; Diabetes; diabetic foot ulcer; Foot diseases; Hydrogels; Leg ulcers; Pathogenesis; Review
• ISSN: 1753-0393; 1753-0407
• DOI: 10.1111/1753-0407.13537

Aim Hydrogels with excellent biocompatibility and biodegradability can be used as the desirable dressings for the therapy of diabetic foot ulcer (DFU). This review aimed to summarize the biological functions of hydrogels, combining with the pathogenesis of DFU. Methods The studies in the last 10 years were searched and summarized from the online database PubMed using a combination of keywords such as hydrogel and diabetes. The biological functions of hydrogels and their healing mechanism on DFU were elaborated. Results In this review, hydrogels were classified by their active substances such as drugs, cytokines, photosensitizers, and biomimetic peptide. Based on this, the biological functions of hydrogels were summarized by associating the pathogenesis of DFU, including oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, cell phenotype change, vasculopathy, and infection. This review also pointed out some of the shortcomings of hydrogels in present researches. Conclusions Hydrogels were classified into carrier hydrogels and self‐functioning hydrogels in this review. Besides, the functions and components of existing hydrogels were clarified to provide assistance for future researches and clinical applications. Highlights A review was conducted of studies on the combination of hydrogels and diabetic foot ulcer pathogenesis. Various hydrogels were classified and elaborated based on their biological functions. The summary of biological functions provides guidance for future research and clinical application.