Curcumin-Loaded Macrophage-Derived Exosomes Effectively Improve Wound Healing

This study aims to investigate the potential therapeuticeffectof exosomes derived from macrophages loaded with curcumin (Exos-cur)on the healing of diabetic wounds. As a new type of biomaterial, Exos-curhas better stability, anti-inflammation, and antioxidation biologicalactivity. In in vitro experiments, Exos-cur can promote the proliferation,migration, and angiogenesis of HUVECs (human umbilical vein endothelialcells) while reducing the ROS (reactive oxygen species) produced byHUVECs induced by high glucose, regulating the mitochondrial membranepotential, reducing cell oxidative damage, and inhibiting oxidativestress and inflammation. In the in vivo experiment, the Exos-cur treatmentgroup had an increased percentage of wound closure and contractioncompared with the diabetic wound control group. Hematoxylin-eosinstaining (HE) and Masson staining showed that the Exos-cur treatmentgroup had more advanced re-epithelialization, and the generated maturegranulation tissue was rich in a large number of capillaries and newlydeposited collagen fibers. Western blot and immunofluorescence analysesshowed that Exos-cur can inhibit inflammation by activating the Nrf2/AREpathway, upregulate the expression of wound healing-related molecules,promote angiogenesis, and accelerate wound healing in diabetic rats.These results show that Exos-cur has a good therapeutic effect ondiabetic skin defects and provide experimental evidence for the potentialclinical benefits of Exos-cur.