A Pro-Regenerative Petroleum Jelly-Based, Copper-Doped Bioactive Glass Ointment for Impaired Wound Healing in Metabolic Syndrome
June 2026
in “
bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)
”
TLDR The ointment with copper improves wound healing and reduces scarring.
The study investigates the wound healing potential of a petroleum jelly-based, copper-doped bioactive glass ointment (PBGCu) for chronic wounds associated with metabolic syndrome. The ointment, particularly with 3 wt% copper concentration, demonstrated high biocompatibility, strong antibacterial activity, and significantly improved wound healing in both mouse and pig models. PBGCu3-treated wounds showed faster closure, enhanced epithelial regeneration, increased dermal thickness, and reduced scar formation. The sustained release of Cu2+ ions from the ointment supports long-term tissue regeneration, making it a promising, low-cost therapeutic tool for managing chronic wounds. Future research will explore the mechanisms and efficacy in infected wounds.