Hydrogel-based Treatment Strategies to Accelerate Diabetic Foot Ulcer Healing

Abstract

A diabetic foot ulcer is a chronic clinical manifestation of diabetes that exacerbates the condition of a patient and has a considerable socioeconomic impact. A diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) impacts around 25% of patients with diabetes mellitus at a certain point in their lives, and the underlying cause of the condition appears to be linked to neuropathic, ischaemic, and/or neuroischaemic pathologies. For the effective treatment of DFU, a variety of conventional treatments are used. However, in recent years, a range of innovative materials have been studied to bolster standard treatment tactics and promote the desired biological response by transcending the impediments of current wound healing approaches. Inorganic/organic hydrogel hybrids for tissue regeneration are among the most promising materials. This review article outlines the current treatment options for DFU, applications of hydrogel with an emphasis on wound healing, polymeric materials used to fabricate hydrogel, and the role of emerging technologies.

Keywords: Diabetic; dressings; foot ulcers; hydrogels; polymeric materials; treatment strategies.