Application of nanotechnology in management and treatment of diabetic wounds

• Published in: Journal of drug targeting 2022-11, Vol.30 (10), p.1034-1054
• Main Authors: Mascarenhas-Melo, Filipa, Gonçalves, Maria Beatriz S., Peixoto, Diana, Pawar, Kiran D., Bell, Victoria, Chavda, Vivek P., Zafar, Hajra, Raza, Faisal, Paiva-Santos, Ana Cláudia
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Diabetic wound; nanosystem; skin treatment and care; topical; wound healing
• ISSN: 1061-186X; 1029-2330
• DOI: 10.1080/1061186X.2022.2092624

Diabetic wounds are one of the most common health problems worldwide, enhancing the demand for new management strategies. Nanotechnology, as a developing subject in diabetic wound healing, is proving to be a promising and effective tool in treatment and care. It is, therefore, necessary to ascertain the available and distinct nanosystems and evaluate their performance when topically applied to the injury site, especially in diabetic wound healing. Several active ingredients, including bioactive ingredients, growth factors, mesenchymal stem cells, nucleic acids, and drugs, benefit from improved properties when loaded into nanosystems. Given the risk of problems associated with systemic administration, the topical application should be considered, provided stability and efficacy are assured. After nanoencapsulation, active ingredients-loaded nanosystems have been showing remarkable features of biocompatibility, healing process hastening, angiogenesis, and extracellular matrix compounds synthesis stimulation, contributing to a decrease in wound inflammation. Despite limitations, nanotechnology has attracted widespread attention in the scientific community and seems to be a valuable technological ally in the treatment and dressing of diabetic wounds. The use of nanotechnology in topical applications enables efficient delivery of the active ingredients to the specific skin site, increasing their bioavailability, stability, and half-life time, without compromising their safety.