The comparison of topical enzyme alginogel and epidermal growth factor treatment on diabetic foot ulcer
Abstract
Objective: This study investigated the efficacy of enzyme alginogel (EA) and topical epidermal growth factor (EGF) in treating diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). Methods: Sixteen patients with Wagner stage I or II DFUs were randomly assigned to either the enzyme alginogel or epidermal growth factor treatment group for two months. Ulcer size (width, height, depth) was measured weekly. Results: While both treatments resulted in ulcer size reduction, no statistically significant difference in healing was observed between the two groups (before and after treatment respectively height p= 0.584, p=0.834, width p=0.38, p=0.83, depth p=0.90, p=0.23, p>0.05). Complete epithelialization was not achieved in five patients (two participants from enzyme alginogel gel, three participants from epidermal growth factor group). Conclusion: This study suggests that both enzyme alginogel and topical epidermal growth factor are effective in promoting healing in superficial diabetic foot ulcers, but further research with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up period is needed to confirm these findings and explore their effectiveness in more complex ulcer cases.
Keywords
References
- 1. Akkus G, Sert M. Diabetic foot ulcers: a devastating complication of diabetes mellitus continues non-stop in spite of new medical treatment modalities. World J Diabetes. 2022;13(12):1106-1121.
- 2. Jalilian H, Javanshir E, Torkzadeh L, Fehresti S, Mir N, Heidari-Jamebozorgi M et al. Prevalence of type 2 diabetes complications and its association with diet knowledge and skills and self-care barriers in Tabriz, Iran: A cross-sectional study. Health Sci Rep 2023;6(2):e1096.
- 3. Saeedi P, Petersohn I, Salpea P, Malanda B, Karuranga S, Unwin N. et al. Global and regional diabetes prevalence estimates for 2019 and projections for 2030 and 2045: Results from the International Diabetes Federation Diabetes Atlas, 9th edition. Diabetes Res Clin Pract 2019;157:107843.
- 4. Raja JM, Maturana MA, Kayali S, Khouzam A, Efeovbokhan N. Diabetic foot ulcer: a comprehensive review of pathophysiology and management modalities. World J Clin Cases. 2023;11(8):1684-1693.
- 5. Hingorani A, LaMuraglia GM, Henke P, Meissner MH, Loretz L, Zinszer KM et al. The management of diabetic foot: A clinical practice guideline by the Society for Vascular Surgery in collaboration with the American Podiatric Medical Association and the Society for Vascular Medicine. J Vasc Surg. 2016;63(2 Suppl):3S-21S.
- 6. Aragón-Sánchez J, Víquez-Molina G, López-Valverde ME, Rojas-Bonilla JM, Murillo-Vargas C. Conservative surgery for diabetic foot osteomyelitis is not associated with longer survival time without recurrence of foot ulcer when compared with amputation. Int J Low Extrem Wounds. 2021;22(2):328-331.
- 7. Lu SH, McLaren AM. Wound healing outcomes in a diabetic foot ulcer outpatient clinic at an acute care hospital: a retrospective study. J Wound Care. 2017;26(Sup10):S4-S11.
- 8. Deshpande AD, Harris-Hayes M, Schootman M. Epidemiology of diabetes and diabetes-related complications. PhysTher. 2008;88(11):1254-1264.
Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Orthopaedics, Clinical Sciences (Other)
Journal Section
Research Article
Early Pub Date
April 29, 2026
Publication Date
April 29, 2026
Submission Date
May 14, 2025
Acceptance Date
September 22, 2025
Published in Issue
Year 2026 Volume: 40 Number: 2