Published Science Papers on Diabetic Wound Healing and Regeneration Post-Umbilical Cord Stem Cell Therapy

Here are 10 peer-reviewed scientific articles focusing on the use of umbilical cord-derived stem cells (primarily mesenchymal stem cells from umbilical cord tissue/Wharton’s jelly or cord blood) for diabetic wound healing and tissue regeneration in humans or human-relevant clinical/preclinical contexts. These include clinical trials, pilot studies, and human cell-based research demonstrating effectiveness through mechanisms like enhanced angiogenesis, reduced inflammation, improved re-epithelialization, collagen deposition, and overall accelerated wound closure. Many studies report safe administration with promising outcomes in diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) or chronic diabetic wounds:

1. 1. Prospective, Randomized, and Controlled Study of a Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cell Injection for Treating Diabetic Foot Ulcers
      Authors: Zhang J, et al. (2023)
      This randomized controlled trial showed that local injection of human umbilical cord MSCs significantly accelerated healing in chronic DFUs compared to controls, with improved wound closure and no adverse events.
      Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36939252/
   2. Topical and intravenous administration of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells in patients with diabetic foot ulcer and peripheral arterial disease: a phase I pilot study with a 3-year follow-up
      Authors: Shi R, et al. (2022)
      Phase I pilot in 14 patients demonstrated safety and efficacy, with improved ulcer healing, reduced recurrence, and higher amputation-free survival via topical/intravenous hUC-MSCs.
      Link: https://stemcellres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13287-022-03143-0 (full text available)
   3. Clinical Evaluation of Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation After Angioplasty for Diabetic Foot
      Authors: Qin HL, et al. (2016)
      Clinical study showing hUC-MSC transplantation post-angioplasty increased neovascularization, improved ulcer healing, and enhanced tissue regeneration in severe diabetic foot cases.
      Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27219884/
   4. Effectiveness of Secretome from Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Gel (10% SM-hUCMSC Gel) for Chronic Wounds (Diabetic and Trophic Ulcer) – Phase 2 Clinical Trial
      Authors: Tan ST, et al. (2023)
      Phase II trial found topical secretome gel from hUC-MSCs effectively accelerated healing in diabetic chronic ulcers, with significant reductions in wound size and no side effects.
      Link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10295509/
   5. Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stromal cells derivatives in treating diabetic foot ulcers: a phase I/II safety and efficacy trial
      Authors: Jafar H, et al. (2025)
      Phase I/II trial confirmed safety and potential efficacy of hUC-MSC derivatives in promoting DFU healing through improved clinical parameters and tissue repair.
      Link: https://stemcellres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13287-025-04736-1
   6. Effects of human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stromal cells and dermal fibroblasts on diabetic wound healing
      Authors: Moon KC, et al. (2017)
      In vivo comparison showed hUCB-MSCs superior to fibroblasts in promoting diabetic wound healing, with enhanced collagen deposition and angiogenesis.
      Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28462822/
   7. Wound-healing potential of human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stromal cells in vitro–a pilot study
      Authors: Han SK, et al. (2015)
      Pilot study indicated hUCB-MSCs have greater angiogenic potential than fibroblasts for diabetic wound regeneration.
      Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26212609/
   8. Human Wharton’s jelly stem cells and its conditioned medium enhance healing of excisional and diabetic wounds
      Authors: Fong CY, et al. (2014)
      Demonstrated hWJSCs (from umbilical cord) and conditioned medium significantly improved diabetic wound healing via enhanced re-epithelialization and tissue regeneration.
      Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24038311/
   9. Effects of umbilical cord blood stem cells on healing factors for diabetic foot injuries
      Authors: Aydin F, et al. (2017)
      Study in diabetic rat model (translatable to human) showed CD34+ umbilical cord blood stem cells promoted neovascularization and epithelium formation in diabetic wounds.
      Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28098485/
   10. Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells in diabetes mellitus and its complications: applications and research advances
       Authors: Li T, et al. (2023)
       Review of clinical advances highlighting hUC-MSCs’ role in promoting angiogenesis, ulcer healing, and tissue regeneration in diabetic complications, including wounds.
       Link: https://www.medsci.org/v20p1492.htm (full text available)

These studies collectively indicate that umbilical cord-derived stem cells (or their derivatives like exosomes/secretome) are effective in diabetic wound healing by promoting paracrine effects, angiogenesis, anti-inflammation, and tissue remodeling, with several showing clinical safety and improved outcomes in human patients. Note that fully powered large-scale RCTs are still emerging in this field.