Nanoclay Gels Promote Re-Epithelialization and Improve the Quality of Skin Wound Healing in a Diabetic Mouse Model

This study investigated the effects of Laponite, a synthetic smectite clay, on skin wound healing in a diabetic mouse model. The research involved full-thickness skin wounds on db/db and wild-type male adult mice, treated with Laponite clay gels, phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), or alginate. While Laponite did not speed up macroscopic wound closure, it significantly enhanced healing quality by promoting re-epithelialization, epithelial cell division, epithelial thickness, and fibroblast invasion. Additionally, Laponite stimulated hair follicle anagen near treated wounds and reduced neutrophil infiltration by day 18. Unlike alginate, Laponite did not show additional benefits with VEGF. The findings suggest that synthetic nanoclay gels like Laponite can improve wound healing quality.