Overview of diabetic foot; novel treatments in diabetic foot ulcer

Foot ulcers are one of the main complications in diabetes mellitus, with a 15% life time risk in all diabetic patients. The problem and features are infection, ulceration, or gangrene. Neuropathy, poor circulation, and susceptibility to infection are the three major contributors to the development of diabetic foot; which when present, foot deformities or minor trauma can readily lead to ulceration and infection. Not all diabetic foots are preventable, but appropriate preventive measures can dramatically reduce their occurrences. Awareness of physicians about foot problems in diabetic patients, clinical examination and Para clinical assessment, regular foot examination, patient education, simple hygienic practices and provision of appropriate footwear combined with prompt treatment of minor injuries can decrease ulcer occurrence by 50%. Many different methods have been proposed and their goal is to accelerate the wound healing. These treatments other than standard therapy include local use of epidermal growth factor, vacuum-compression therapy (VCT), hyperbaric oxygen and peripheral Stem cell injection. Since all these treatments have a partial effect in ulcer improvement and amputation rate; so more effective treatments are essential. A novel drug for treatment of this complication is an herbal extract, ANGIPARS™, which has been studied in all steps of clinical trial. This new treatment by topical, oral and intravenous routs has had beneficial effects in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcer after one month. Angiogenesis is one of the considered mechanisms of action of this drug. Results of these clinical trials showed that this treatment can be superior to other treatments.