Bio-inspired supramolecular hydrogel inhibits ferroptosis to accelerate diabetic wound healing
Haiting Zou, Jingyi Chen, Yumeng Huang, Jiaye Li, Xuemei Yuan, Tianzhe Chen, Youjun Ding, Ping Yang, Dongfeng Zheng, Guopu Chen, Qian Tan
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Ferroptosis significantly compromises diabetic wound healing and represents a promising therapeutic target for clinical intervention. Baicalein (Bai), a natural flavonoid, has been considered to own ferroptosis-regulating properties, while the underlying mechanisms remain understood. OBJECTIVES: The study aims to investigate potential mechanisms by which Bai inhibits ferroptosis in endothelial cells and validate the therapeutic efficacy of Bai-loaded hydrogel on diabetic wounds. METHODS: supramolecular nanofibrous hydrogel was developed for active Bai delivery. Its wound-healing efficacy and underlying mechanisms were further evaluated in a diabetic rat model. RESULTS: nanofiber-incorporated hydrogel demonstrated favorable mechanical and biological properties, markedly reducing ferroptosis levels and accelerating diabetic wound healing. CONCLUSION: supramolecular nanofibrous hydrogel that synergistically enhances diabetic wound healing with proven therapeutic efficacy.