Abstract

REVOLUTIONIZING DIABETIC FOOT ULCER TREATMENT - ADVANCES AND FUTURE OF HYDROGEL DRESSINGS

Dr. C. Pandian*, Navina S., Praveen Rajan A. K., Punniyamoorthy K. and Sudhir V.V.

ABSTRACT

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) represent one of the most challenging complications of diabetes mellitus, often leading to infection, amputation, and increased healthcare costs. Conventional therapies provide limited efficacy due to poor moisture retention, inadequate drug delivery, and lack of bioactivity. Recent advances in hydrogel-based wound dressings have emerged as a revolutionary approach to address these limitations. Hydrogels, with their high water content, biocompatibility, and tunable physical properties, create a moist wound environment that accelerates healing. They serve as excellent platforms for the incorporation of novel drug delivery systems (NDDS), including nanosponges, nanoparticles, and bioactive agents such as growth factors, antimicrobials, and anti-inflammatory compounds. These advanced hydrogels not only promote granulation tissue formation and angiogenesis but also enable controlled and sustained drug release at the wound site, thereby enhancing therapeutic outcomes. Furthermore, stimuli-responsive and smart hydrogels capable of responding to pH, temperature, or enzymatic changes are under investigation for real-time wound monitoring and precision therapy. The integration of nanotechnology, 3D bio printing, and bioengineered scaffolds presents promising future directions in hydrogel development. This paradigm shift in DFU treatment strategies reflects a growing emphasis on multifunctional, patient-specific, and cost-effective wound care solutions. This review highlights the recent progress in hydrogel-based wound dressings for DFU management, their clinical significance, and emerging trends that could redefine the future of diabetic wound care.

Keywords: Hydrogel wound dressing, diabetic foot ulcer, Novel drug delivery systems, Nanotechnology, Chronic wound healing.