Kohima, October 21: Researchers at Nagaland University have identified a naturally occurring plant compound, Sinapic acid, as a promising therapeutic agent capable of significantly promoting wound healing in diabetic patients, offering hope for millions suffering from chronic diabetic foot ulcers.

The findings, published in the prestigious journal Nature Scientific Reports, revealed that oral administration of Sinapic acid accelerated diabetic wound healing in preclinical models, marking a major step forward in the development of safe, natural, and cost-effective treatments for diabetic wound management.

Sinapic acid is a naturally occurring antioxidant found in a wide variety of edible plants. According to the study, the compound promotes tissue repair and regeneration by activating the SIRT1 pathway, which plays a critical role in tissue repair, angiogenesis, and inflammation control.

“Diabetes mellitus remains one of the world’s most pressing chronic diseases, affecting hundreds of millions globally,” said Prof. Pranav Kumar Prabhakar, Head of the Department of Biotechnology, School of Engineering and Technology, Nagaland University. “Among its serious complications is delayed wound healing, often resulting in diabetic foot ulcers, infections, and, in severe cases, amputation. Existing synthetic drugs have shown limited efficacy and often cause undesirable side effects.”

Prof. Prabhakar explained that the study also uncovered an ‘Inverted Dose-Response’ phenomenon, where a lower dose of Sinapic acid (20 mg/kg) proved more effective than a higher dose (40 mg/kg). “This finding optimises dosage strategy and has significant clinical implications for future drug development,” he noted.

The research team reported that Sinapic acid not only enhanced wound healing but also improved metabolic health and reduced oxidative stress in diabetic models. The discovery could potentially reduce the risk of amputation and improve recovery outcomes for patients suffering from diabetic foot ulcers.

Importantly, the compound offers potential as an affordable, natural oral therapy, making it more accessible to patients in rural and resource-limited settings, where access to advanced wound care is often restricted.

The researchers said the next phase of the study will involve pilot clinical trials to evaluate Sinapic acid’s safety and efficacy in human patients.