Photoactivated Hydrogen Sulfide Donor with a Near-Infrared Fluorescence Report System for Accelerated Chronic Wound Healing

Delayed wound healing is one of the major diabetes complications that occur in 25% of diabetic patients. Specific wound management and combination treatment are required to repair the wound, which still remains a challenge with few effective therapies available currently. In this work, a new H2S donor PROF, which is characterized by the capability to promote wound healing in diabetes, was designed. PRO-F can be activated by light without consuming endogenous substances and the accompanying fluorescent signal makes the real-time tracking of released H2S possible. PRO-F is able to deliver H2S in an intracellular environment with moderate release efficiency (50%), which presents cytoprotective effects against excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced damage. Furthermore, the potential of PRO-F to enhance chronic wound healing was validated by employing diabetic models. This work provides new insights into the therapeutic role of H2S donors in complex wound conditions, which should advance the pathophysiological research associated with H2S.

Automated summary

Delayed wound healing is a common complication in diabetic patients, and effective therapies for this condition are limited. In this study, researchers designed a new H2S donor called PRO-F, which can promote wound healing in diabetes. PRO-F can be activated by light and allows real-time tracking of released H2S. It delivers H2S within cells with moderate release efficiency, providing cytoprotective effects against oxidative damage. The potential of PRO-F to enhance chronic wound healing was validated in diabetic models. This study offers new insights into the therapeutic role of H2S donors in complex wound conditions and advances the understanding of H2S-related pathophysiology.