Research Advances in Smart Responsive-Hydrogel Dressings for Diabetic Wound Healing

The document reviews the development and potential of smart responsive-hydrogel dressings for diabetic wound healing. Traditional dressings do not effectively promote healing in diabetic wounds due to their complex microenvironment. However, hydrogel dressings, such as the clinically-used Healoderm, have shown promise due to their biocompatibility, moisture retention, and drug-loading ability. Scientists are developing smart responsive hydrogels that can adjust to specific diabetic wound environments or external conditions, allowing for precise and controlled drug release. This could improve the harsh microenvironment of diabetic wound sites and avoid drug resistance caused by high-dose antibiotic use. The document also discusses different types of responsive hydrogels, including glucose-responsive, pH-responsive, ROS-responsive, enzyme-responsive, and temperature-responsive hydrogels, all of which have shown potential in improving treatment efficiency. Despite the challenges, the authors believe that responsive hydrogel wound dressings will eventually become the first choice of wound care materials for diabetic patients and medical personnel.