Chronic diabetic wounds are often accompanied by persistent bacterial infection, excessive exudate accumulation, and impaired tissue regeneration, which together hinder effective healing. In this study, a multifunctional microneedle-triboelectric nanogenerator (MN-TENG) platform was designed to simultaneously provide localized antibacterial therapy, self-powered electrical stimulation, and exudate regulation for improved wound treatment. Dissolvable microneedles loaded with gelatin microspheres encapsulating ciprofloxacin hydrochloride enable sustained and localized antibiotic release at the wound site. The triboelectric nanogenerator, constructed from polyurethane foam and copper, converts biomechanical motion into low-intensity electrical stimulation, while the porous foam structure exhibits high water absorption capacity (589.6%), allowing efficient management of wound exudate and maintenance of a favorable microenvironment. In vitro studies demonstrate that the MN-TENG system possesses good cytocompatibility and significant antibacterial activity, achieving bactericidal efficiencies of approximately 80% against Staphylococcus aureus and 75% against Escherichia coli while also promoting fibroblast migration. In a diabetic wound model, treatment with MN-TENG markedly accelerates wound closure (∼35% improvement), reduces bacterial burden, and enhances angiogenesis and collagen deposition in regenerating tissue. These results suggest that the integrated MN-TENG platform offers a promising strategy for the management of infected diabetic wounds.
Shen et al. (Mon,) studied this question.