Potential therapeutic benefits of lutein-loaded hydrogel in diabetic-induced dermal wound healing

Research on wound-healing agents is a growing area in modern biomedical sciences, and oxidative stress plays a significant role in the challenges of chronic wound healing. These challenges include dry dressings that lack functionality and cause increased pain by adhering to wounds. Hydrogels are widely utilised for wound healing because they mimic the native extracellular matrix (ECM) and help maintain a moist environment. <i>In silico</i> docking studies revealed that lutein forms strong and stable interactions with proteins involved in ECM degradation, inflammation and oxidative stress. The optimised hydrogel formulations demonstrated excellent physicochemical stability and improved topical delivery of the drug. <i>In vitro</i> and <i>ex vivo</i> studies confirmed superior skin permeation and sustained release of lutein from the fermented hydrogel compared with controls. <i>In vivo</i> experiments using F2 formulation (0.5% lutein) on diabetic rat models demonstrated rapid wound contraction, achieving 92.1% closure by day 9 and complete healing by day 11, with minimal scarring and enhanced tissue regeneration. Histopathological analysis supported these results, revealing dense granulation tissue, minimal inflammatory infiltration and notable dermal remodelling in the treatment group. These findings suggest that lutein-loaded hydrogels are promising biotherapeutic options for the effective management of diabetic wounds.