Experimental study on the use of VEGF@SFNP-loaded microneedles to accelerate oral mucosal wound healing

doi:10.19438/j.cjoms.2026.05.004

Abstract

Abstract: PURPOSE: To investigate the therapeutic effect of microneedles loaded with silk fibroin nanoparticles (SFNP) encapsulating vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) for oral mucosal wound healing. METHODS: Microneedles were fabricated using methacrylated hyaluronic acid (HAMA) and loaded with VEGF encapsulated in silk fibroin nanoparticles (VEGF@SFNP). The pro-angiogenic capacity was evaluated in vitro through CCK-8 assays, wound healing and tube formation experiments. After that, a rat oral mucosal wound model was established to assess the wound healing efficacy in vivo. RESULTS: CCK-8 assay demonstrated that the proliferation of cells treated with VEGF@SFNP was significantly higher than that in the control group. Wound healing assays indicated enhanced cell migration ability following VEGF@SFNP treatment. Tube formation experiments showed that the VEGF@SFNP group exhibited improved angiogenic capacity. In vivo animal experiments revealed that the microneedle patch treatment accelerated the healing rate of oral mucosal wounds in rats. CONCLUSIONS: The microneedle patch can significantly promote angiogenesis, markedly enhance vascular regeneration, and accelerate the healing process of oral mucosal wounds.

Key words: Oral mucosa, Microneedle, Vascular endothelial growth factor, Nanoparticle, Angiogenic capacity

CLC Number:

R78
R318.08

Pang Xuefei, Jiang Shengjie, Wang Huilin, Cai Ming. Experimental study on the use of VEGF@SFNP-loaded microneedles to accelerate oral mucosal wound healing[J]. China Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 2026, 24(5): 461-469.

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