Fiber-Reinforced Hydrogel Dressings for Enhanced Herbal Compounds Delivery in Accelerated Diabetic Wound Healing

The study developed a multifunctional wound dressing, MeGel-SFSR, by incorporating short fibers loaded with the herbal compound Salvia miltiorrhiza-Radix Puerariae into hydrogels. This combination enhanced the mechanical properties of the hydrogel and provided a three-dimensional microenvironment for cell adhesion and migration. The MeGel-SFSR dressing demonstrated significant promise in treating diabetic wounds by promoting faster healing, improving tissue regeneration quality, and supporting hair follicle regeneration, collagen deposition, and vascularization. The dressing's slow release of the herbal compound offered anti-inflammatory and angiogenesis-promoting benefits, making it a potential solution for hard-to-heal diabetic wounds.