HARNESSING PROBIOTICS: GEL-BASED THERAPIES FOR DIABETIC WOUND HEALING

Diabetic wounds represent one of the most challenging complications of diabetes mellitus, characterized by impaired tissue regeneration, prolonged inflammation, and high susceptibility to infection. Conventional therapies often fail to achieve satisfactory healing outcomes, necessitating the exploration of novel strategies. Probiotics, with their antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, and regenerative properties, have emerged as promising candidates for wound care. This study investigated the therapeutic potential of three commercially available probiotic strains Bacillus clausii (Enterogermina®), Lactobacillus sporogenes (Sporlac®), and Bifidobacterium longum (Florachamp®) incorporated into a PEG–glycerol-based gel formulation for topical application. The developed gels were characterized for physicochemical stability, spreadability, pH, and viscosity, alongside confirmation of probiotic viability. In vitro assays revealed variable antagonistic activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Using a streptozotocin–nicotinamide-induced diabetic excision wound model in Wistar rats, the probiotic gels demonstrated significantly enhanced wound contraction, accelerated closure, and histological evidence of collagen deposition and re-epithelialization compared to diabetic controls. By Day 21, probiotic-treated groups exhibited healing efficacy comparable to the standard treatment (Placentrex® gel), with formulations containing Lactobacillus sporogenes and Bifidobacterium longum achieving >99% wound contraction. Translocation studies confirmed systemic presence of certain probiotic strains, suggesting possible systemic immunomodulatory contributions. These findings provide preliminary evidence that topical probiotic gels can effectively promote diabetic wound healing by modulating inflammation and enhancing tissue regeneration. Further clinical and mechanistic studies are warranted to optimize formulation parameters and establish safety profiles for translation into therapeutic practice.