Wound healing is the body's natural process of repairing itself after an injury. It involves key stages: haemostasis, reducing inflammation, regeneration of new tissue, and remodelling the skin to restore its strength and integrity. However, in individuals with diabetes, this process is often delayed due to impaired blood flow, reduced oxygen and nutrient delivery, and prolonged inflammation. High blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels and nerves, making wound healing more difficult and can increase the risk of infections. These complications could result in chronic wounds such as diabetic foot ulcers and pressure sores, which fail to progress through the normal stages of healing and remain in the inflammatory state. Over time, this can lead to tissue degradation, infection, and complications such as gangrene, which may eventually lead to amputation, significantly affecting the patient’s quality of life.
To tackle this problem, Associate Professor Dr. Giribabu Nelli from the Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, and his collaborator Dr. Shaik Nyamathulla from the Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Malaya, have developed an innovative solution: a primary wound dressing using gallocatechin-silver nanoparticles embedded in cotton gauze patches to accelerate wound healing. Gallocatechin, a natural antioxidant found in plants such as green tea, is known for its anti-inflammatory and styptic properties. Silver nanoparticles are well known for their excellent antimicrobial properties. When embedded in cotton gauze, these components will work synergistically to reduce infection, and inflammation, and promote faster tissue regeneration.
The benefit of gallocatechin-silver nanoparticles gauze over traditional wound care dressing is its dual-action approach. Unlike conventional hydrogel treatments that primarily focus on moisture retention or antimicrobial protection, gallocatechin-silver nanoparticles provide both antimicrobial protection from silver and reduce oxidative stress and inflammation. This dual action addresses multiple factors that delay healing. Additionally, this gauze will include biodegradable polymers, such as chitosan, which makes it more environmentally friendly. Gallocatechin-silver nanoparticle gauze has been proven to be effective for diabetic wounds, which are often challenging to treat due to impaired blood flow, high inflammation levels, and metabolic imbalances.
When asked about the challenges faced in developing nanoparticle-embedded gauze, Dr. Giribabu explained, “Ensuring the stability of the gallocatechin, optimising their formulation for maximum efficacy, addressing potential toxicity concerns, and conducting thorough safety testing has been a challenge.” To overcome these, in-depth accelerated stability and toxicity studies are required to ensure the product’s safety and efficacy. Clinical trials are also critical to meet regulatory standards and healthcare requirements. The cost could also be a challenge due to the complexity of materials and manufacturing processes; however, ongoing research aims to make this product affordable and accessible.
Dr. Giribabu is focused on refining the technology. He added, “I plan to optimise the formulation, conduct further preclinical and clinical trials, and test its effectiveness across various wound types and patient populations.” His team is committed to exploring the treatment’s efficacy across diverse patient groups and wound types, aiming to ensure its broad applicability in various healthcare settings.
Researchers featured:
Associate Prof. Dr. Giribabu Nelli
Department of Physiology
Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya
For inquiries, please contact:
T: +603-79674921
Dr. Shaik Nyamathulla
Department of Pharmaceutical Technology,
Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Malaya
Author:
Ms Fiona Wong Yan Qi
A passionate medical student who loves to combine her interests in science and writing. I’m captivated by the complexities of the human body and enjoy crafting stories that illuminate the human experience.
Copyedit:
Siti Farhana Bajunid Shakeeb Arsalaan Bajunid, Assistant Registrar, UM
Photo credits by:
Diana Polekhina, from Unsplash.com
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