Fabricating a Cu-MBG-incorporated polyurethane foam with antibacterial properties and bioactivity for diabetic wound healing

Chronic diabetic wounds require dressings that combine high liquid absorption, antibacterial activity, and bioactivity to support tissue repair. Here, copper-containing mesoporous bioactive glass (Cu-MBG) was incorporated into polyurethane foam to create a bioactive composite dressing (PU-Cu-MBG). The resulting foam exhibited strong liquid absorption, suitable water vapor transmission, and robust mechanical properties. The Cu-MBG endowed the dressing with antibacterial activity (>99% against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli ) and promoted the proliferation of human endothelial cells. In vivo , the PU-Cu-MBG dressing enhanced angiogenesis, collagen deposition, and accelerated wound closure compared with commercial dressings in a diabetic skin wound model. These findings demonstrate that bioactive glass-loaded foam dressings can effectively combine physical and biological functions, offering a promising approach for the management of chronic diabetic wounds.