Topical and Scaffold-Mediated Delivery of VCE-005.1 Enhances Diabetic Wound Healing Through Endothelial Protection and Vascular Regeneration

Background/Objectives: Chronic diabetic wounds remain a major clinical challenge due to persistent inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, impaired angiogenesis, and defective tissue regeneration. Local therapies that restore vascular repair while providing sustained drug delivery are urgently needed. This study investigated the therapeutic efficacy of VCE-005.1, a hypoxia-mimetic betulinic acid derivative, administered topically or incorporated into a biocompatible and biodegradable polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffold, and examined the molecular mechanisms underlying its pro-regenerative activity.