Responsive to adaptive supramolecular hydrogels for diabetic wound treatment

Abstract

Wound healing is a dynamic process involving four phases such as hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling of tissue at the wound site. Diabetes patients are more susceptible to the development of chronic wounds as high blood glucose levels in them cause increased chances of infection and disrupted tissue regeneration. Therefore, effective treatments are essential for the successful management of diabetic wounds. Among various methods, hydrogel-based treatments have gained popularity as it is biocompatible and economically viable. In addition, hydrogels enhance wound repair by providing a moist environment and by acting like the extracellular matrix. The development of stimuli-responsive supramolecular hydrogels that can encapsulate and release drugs, antioxidants, enzymes, or cells under specific conditions has expanded remarkably the treatment options for healing difficult wounds. Recent advancement in this area of research has added many features to stimuli-responsive supramolecular hydrogel in ensuring their sustained release in a controlled manner under the influence of specific pathophysiological conditions. This helps in correcting the wound environment by quenching reactive oxygen species (ROS), balancing pH, or acting as a scaffold for the formation of a matrix. Therefore, such stimuli-responsive supramolecular hydrogels have been termed as ‘smart’ materials in many places. In this review, we look into the recent developments in the fabrication of smart supramolecular hydrogels that detect the physiological changes in diabetic wound and adapt to the environment by undergoing structural or functional changes that are important in tackling many issues related to diabetic wound treatment.