Photobiomodulation Therapy in Diabetic Wound Healing

Diabetes mellitus predisposes to chronic, non‐healing wounds through impaired angiogenesis, persistent inflammation, oxidative stress and neuropathy. Photobiomodulation therapy (PBM) employs low‐intensity visible or near‐infrared light to stimulate cellular metabolism and modulate inflammatory pathways without inducing heat damage. In diabetic wounds, PBM enhances mitochondrial activity, promotes fibroblast proliferation and collagen synthesis, and improves microvascular perfusion. These effects accelerate the sequential phases of healing—haemostasis, inflammation, proliferation and remodelling—and counteract the deficits characteristic of diabetic ulcers. Combination strategies pairing PBM with biological adjuvants such as mesenchymal stem cells or their secreted factors have further amplified tissue repair by synchronising immunomodulation, neovascularisation and structural regeneration. Collectively, these interventions demonstrate global relevance for reducing amputation rates, healthcare costs and patient morbidity in diabetic foot ulcer management.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent studies have investigated the synergistic potential of PBM and adipose-derived stem cells in a type 2 diabetic rat model. Application of near-infrared light alongside an allograft of adipose-derived stem cells led to complete eradication of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus at the wound site, a significant reduction in wound surface area and a marked increase in tensile strength compared with either treatment alone. Histological analyses revealed a balanced inflammatory response and enhanced deposition of organised collagen fibres, indicating that PBM can potentiate the paracrine effects of stem cells to restore normal maturation of the extracellular matrix in ischemic, infected diabetic wounds.

Photobiomodulation Therapy in Diabetic Wound Healing publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in photobiomodulation therapy in diabetic wound healing across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Photobiomodulation (PBM): Use of low-intensity light to influence cellular functions via photochemical reactions, chiefly in mitochondria.

Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs): Multipotent stromal cells capable of differentiation and secretion of regenerative cytokines.

Conditioned Medium: Culture fluid enriched with bioactive factors secreted by cells, used to confer paracrine effects without transplanting cells.

Ischemic Wound: Tissue injury characterised by restricted blood supply leading to hypoxia and nutrient deficiency.

Tensiometry: Measurement of mechanical properties, such as tensile strength, of healed tissue.

Stereology: Quantitative analysis of three-dimensional microstructures from two-dimensional tissue sections.

References

1. Photobiomodulation plus Adipose-derived Stem Cells Improve Healing of Ischemic Infected Wounds in Type 2 Diabetic Rats. Scientific Reports (2020).
2. Transplantation of photobiomodulation-preconditioned diabetic stem cells accelerates ischemic wound healing in diabetic rats. Stem Cell Research & Therapy (2020).
3. Promising improvement in infected Wound Healing in Type two Diabetic rats by Combined effects of conditioned medium of human adipose-derived stem cells plus Photobiomodulation. Laboratory Animal Research (2023).