Shikonin nanoparticle-reinforced chitosan/scleroglucan hydrogel for treating oral mucosa wounds in diabetes

Current treatments for diabetic wounds affecting the oral mucosa frequently yield insufficient results. Key challenges complicating recovery include bacterial colonization, oxidative damage, and impaired blood vessel formation during tissue repair. To bridge this substantial therapeutic void, our research introduces an injectable hydrogel (named as SQD1) engineered specifically to promote healing within diabetic oral ulcers. This innovative biomaterial combines a polysaccharide network derived from dialdehyde scleroglucan and quaternized chitosan, further enhanced by incorporating shikonin nanoparticles. Upon local injection, SQD1 rapidly transitions into a protective hydrogel layer. The dressing demonstrates robust antimicrobial efficacy alongside potent scavenging of reactive oxygen species. These combined actions effectively transition the lesion environment away from chronic inflammation toward a productive proliferative healing state. A significant advantage involves the material's inherent biodegradability following therapy completion, guaranteeing total bodily assimilation once its wound-healing functions conclude. Collectively, results from both laboratory and animal studies confirm that SQD1 markedly hastens repair processes in oral mucosal injuries. Representing a significant stride forward, this hydrogel technology offers a highly promising approach for managing diabetic oral ulcerations, ultimately aiming to enhance patient prognoses associated with this difficult pathology.