New Therapeutic Perspectives for the Management of Diabetic Foot Through Regenerative Medicine

Abstract

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are among the most severe and costly complications of diabetes, affecting millions of individuals worldwide. This narrative review summarizes major advances in regenerative medicine relevant to the management of DFUs and discusses how these approaches contribute to faster and more effective wound healing. Stem cell-based therapies, particularly those using adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AD-MSCs), have demonstrated promising clinical outcomes through their ability to modulate inflammation, promote angiogenesis, and support skin and soft tissue regeneration. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP), an accessible autologous therapy, delivers concentrated growth factors that accelerate wound closure, enhance neovascularization, and shorten healing time compared with standard care. In addition, decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) scaffolds provide a biologically active structural framework that supports cell adhesion, tissue remodeling, and granulation tissue formation. Collectively, these regenerative strategies offer new perspectives for improving functional recovery and quality of life in patients with DFUs, transforming chronic non-healing wounds into opportunities for effective tissue repair.