Silver Nanoparticles for the Rapid Healing of Diabetic Foot Ulcers

Abstract

Diabetic foot ulcers are one of the major complications of patients with diabetes mellitus. And due to their high susceptibility to microbial infections, are the leading cause of hospitalization and amputation of lower limbs. It has been well studied the antimicrobial properties of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), therefore their use in biomedicine is a trend. Herein we present for the first time the use of AgNPs for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers of grade II and III of Wagner classification. Ulcers were treated by topical administration of AgNPs (at 1.8 mg/mL of metallic silver) in addition to conventional antibiotics. In all the cases presented in this study, a significant improvement in the evolution of ulcers was observed upon AgNPs administration. The edges of the lesion reached the point of closure. These results constituted the basis for further studies on the use of AgNPs for the treatment of chronic ulcers from different origins.