COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF COPPER (II) OXIDE AND ZINC OXIDE NANOPARTICLES FOR DIABETIC WOUND HEALING APPLICATIONS

Abstract

Diabetic wounds, present significant challenges due to their slow healing and high infection risk. This study investigates the therapeutic potential of Copper (II) Oxide (CuO) and Zinc Oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles in enhancing diabetic wound healing. We characterized the physicochemical properties of CuO and ZnO nanoparticles using Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA). In addition to these characterizations, we conducted a series of in vitro studies, including cytotoxicity assays, cell proliferation, and migration assays, antioxidant studies through DPPH and Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) scavenging assays, and angiogenesis evaluations using the chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay. These studies revealed a solid potential for mitigating oxidative stress and promoting cellular activities crucial for wound repair. The antibacterial efficacy was assessed by measuring the zone of inhibition, demonstrating effective control over E. coli and S. aureus. Anti-inflammatory effects were examined by analyzing levels of inflammatory markers such as TNF-Alpha and interleukins (IL-10), indicating reduced chronic inflammation. The wound healing potential was specifically assessed using NIH 3T3 cell lines in scratch wound healing assays to ensure consistent cell migration and proliferation evaluation. Our results showed that both CuO and ZnO nanoparticles significantly enhance the rate of wound closure. The results suggest that CuO and ZnO nanoparticles significantly benefit diabetic wound healing by promoting cellular activities and controlling infection and inflammation. Further optimization of formulation is needed to enhance efficacy and patient comfort. This study highlights the potential of these nanoparticles in advancing therapeutic approaches for diabetic wounds.