MXene-Based Conductive Microneedle Patch Promotes Diabetic Wound Healing by Regulating Oxidative Stress and Immune Microenvironment

Abstract

Abstract Excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and the release of inflammatory mediators create a pathological microenvironment in diabetic wounds, severely impairing the healing process. Coupling endogenous electric fields has shown great therapeutic potential for inflammatory wound treatment. In this study, we developed a favorable conductive microneedle patch based on MXene nanosheets. The patch promotes wound repair through dual mechanisms: on the one hand, the MXene nanosheets with enzyme-mimicking activity efficiently scavenge ROS, thereby improving the local wound microenvironment; on the other hand, the electrically coupled interface formed between the microneedle array and skin tissue effectively transduces endogenous electrical signals, inducing macrophage polarization toward the anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype. The microneedle patch significantly reduced ROS levels in bone marrow-derived macrophages while also promoting their polarization to the M2 phenotype. In a diabetic rat full-thickness skin wound model, the patch significantly accelerated wound closure by suppressing tissue inflammation and enhancing collagen deposition. This study demonstrates that such an electro–chemical synergistic therapeutic strategy offers a promising new approach for the treatment of chronic diabetic wounds.