Zinc sulfate gel reshapes the wound microenvironment to promote full-thickness wound healing in mice

Abstract

Delayed healing of skin wounds significantly impacts human life, Zinc plays a pivotal role in human growth, the immune system, and various cellular processes. Previous studies have demonstrated that zinc supplementation or topical zinc ion therapy can accelerate wound healing in cases of skin injury. Zinc deficiency has been linked to delayed wound healing, but the role it plays remains to be elucidated. In this study, we report the preparation of zinc sulfate gel to promote wound healing by treating inflammation, antioxidant effects, and angiogenesis. We demonstrated the efficacy of zinc sulfate gel in wound healing in a mouse model of full-thickness skin excision, spared the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capabilities of zinc ions. Furthermore, Zinc sulfate gel can stimulate tissue to enter the proliferative phase by regulating macrophage polarization, thereby accelerating collagen deposition, granulation tissue formation, and extracellular matrix production and remodeling. In conclusion, zinc ion gel provides a promising strategy for skin wounds regeneration.