Novel nano-insulin formulation modulates cytokine secretion and remodeling to accelerate diabetic wound healing

Abstract Little is known about insulin's wound healing capability in normal as well as diabetic conditions. We here report specific interaction of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with insulin by making a ~2 nm thick coat around the AgNPs and its potent wound healing efficacy. Characterization of the interaction of human insulin with silver nanoparticles showed confirmed alteration of amide-I in insulin whereas amide-II and III remained unaltered. Further, nanoparticles protein interaction kinetics showed spontaneous interaction at physiological temperature with ΔG, ΔS, Ea and Ka values −7.48, 0.076, 3.84 kcal mol −1 and 6 × 10 5  s −1 respectively. Insulin loaded AgNPs (IAgNPs) showed significant improvement in healing activity in vitro (HEKa cells) and in vivo (Wister Rats) in comparison with the control in both normal and diabetic conditions. The underlying mechanism was attributed to a regulation of the balance between pro (IL-6, TNFα) and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10) at the wound site to promote faster wound remodeling.