CuO <sub>2</sub> ‐ICG Nanocomposite: A Multifunctional Solution for Diabetic Wound Management with Antibacterial and Anti‐inflammatory Effects
Wenzhen Liu, Yuxiang Zhang, Bowen Li, Tao Dai, Yunmei Huang, Xueyuan Chen, Zhuo Chen
Abstract
Abstract Patients with diabetes often grapple with impaired wound healing, which can lead to amputations or even fatal outcomes. Bacterial biofilms, protected by extracellular polymeric substances, pose a significant barrier to antibacterial treatments. Hyperglycemia perpetuates inflammation, further complicating chronic wounds. To tackle this issue, a multifunctional nanocomposite (CuO 2 ‐ICG NPs) with acid‐degradable properties is developed. Within biofilms, they release copper ions (Cu 2+ ), hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ), and indocyanine green (ICG), initiating neutrophil‐mimicking reactions and photodynamic actions. This generates hypochlorous acid (HClO) and singlet oxygen ( 1 O 2 ), effectively degrading the biofilm and eradicating bacteria, reducing the viability of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus by 6.85 log 10 and 9.00 log 10 , respectively. In addition, CuO 2 ‐ICG NPs demonstrate anti‐inflammatory properties, preventing M1 macrophage polarization and chronic inflammation. They also accelerate wound healing by stimulating angiogenesis and fibroblast migration. In diabetic mice with biofilm‐infected wounds, CuO 2 ‐ICG NPs significantly shorten the healing time. This groundbreaking discovery offers promising new avenues for therapeutic approaches in diabetic wound management.