• The study, published in Nature Scientific Reports (Nature Portfolio), opens up new possibilities for affordable & natural diabetic therapies as it identifies Sinapic acid, a plant-based compound, that accelerates diabetic wound healing

  • This could potentially pave the way for affordable, sustainable oral therapeutics and reduce amputation risks worldwide

  • This is the first study globally to demonstrate that Sinapic acid, when administered orally, can accelerate diabetic wound healing in preclinical models

Nagaland University  researchers have identified a naturally-occurring plant compound called ‘Sinapic acid’ as a powerful therapeutic agent capable of significantly accelerating wound healing in diabetic conditions. The discovery marks a major advancement that could result in safe, natural, and effective treatments for diabetic wound management.

This is the first study globally to demonstrate that Sinapic acid, when administered orally, can accelerate diabetic wound healing in preclinical models. The research established that the compound works by activating the SIRT1 pathway, which plays a crucial role in tissue repair, angiogenesis, and inflammation control.

The multidisciplinary study involved collaboration between experts from Nagaland University and Lovely Professional University (LPU), Punjab, combining expertise in biotechnology, pharmacology, biochemistry, and medical laboratory sciences.

The Research was led by Prof. Pranav Kumar Prabhakar, Department of Biotechnology, School of Engineering and Technology, Nagaland University, and included Rupal Dubey, Sourbh Suren Garg, Navneet Khurana and Jeena Gupta from Lovely Professional University.

Nagaland University Study identifies natural compound with breakthrough potential for Diabetic Wound treatment

The findings have been published in Nature Scientific Reports  (DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-03890-z), a peer-reviewed, open-access journal from Nature Portfolio (Springer Nature), lending strong international credibility to this work.

Highlighting the real-world impact of this Research, Prof. Jagadish K. Patnaik, Vice Chancellor, Nagaland University, said, ”I am delighted to share that a study conducted by our researchers at Nagaland University has identified a natural compound with remarkable potential in the treatment of diabetic wounds. This discovery not only highlights the strength of our scientific community but also reflects our commitment to addressing pressing health challenges through innovation rooted in nature. I congratulate the research team for their dedication and contribution towards improving healthcare solutions.”

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

Prof. Pranav Kumar Prabhakar added, ”We set out seeking a safe, plant-based alternative — exploring how Sinapic acid, a naturally occurring antioxidant found in various edible plants, could accelerate tissue repair, reduce inflammation, and promote new blood vessel formation in diabetic wounds. We found that a lower dose (20 mg/kg) was more effective than a higher one (40 mg/kg), a phenomenon known as ‘Inverted Dose-Response.’ This result not only optimises dosage strategy but also has significant clinical implications for future drug development.”

Further, Dr. Jeena Gupta, Lovely Professional University, said, ”Our findings suggest that Sinapic acid has remarkable potential to accelerate tissue repair by enhancing angiogenesis and modulating oxidative stress. Unlike topical applications or invasive treatments, oral delivery allows systemic bioavailability, enabling targeted action at the wound site. Building on these results, the team is also working on developing patentable formulation with Sinapic acid for easy administration, low cost, and scalability for future human trials.”

Key Implications & Next Steps
The key implications of this discovery include reducing the risk of amputation and accelerating recovery in diabetic foot ulcers and providing an affordable, natural oral therapy, improving accessibility for patients in rural and resource-limited settings. This Research aligns with India’s traditional medicine and nutraceutical innovation goals, offering a safe, sustainable, and culturally compatible treatment approach.

The research team has built robust preclinical evidence that Sinapic acid enhances wound healing, improves metabolic health, and mitigates oxidative stress in diabetic models. The next phase will focus on translating this success into real-world therapeutics through:
Detailed molecular pathway studies (PI3K/Akt, NF-êB)
Toxicity and pharmacokinetic profiling to ensure safety
Formulation development for capsules or nutraceutical tablets
Pilot clinical trials in diabetic patients to test efficacy and safety

 

ABOUT NAGALAND UNIVERSITY: Nagaland University, the 13th Central University and the only Central University in Nagaland was established based on the Act of Parliament of India and received the assent of the President of India on 20th October 1989 as The Nagaland University Act 1989. The University came into being on September 6, 1994 having jurisdiction over the entire state of Nagaland.

Nagaland University registered a significant improvement in National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2025, securing a place in the 151–200 rank band.

At present the University has three campuses, viz. (i) Headquarters at Lumami in Zunheboto district (ii) Kohima Campus at Meriema in Kohima district (iii) Medziphema Campus (School of Agricultural Sciences) at Medziphema in Dimapur district.

There are 43 departments offering Undergraduate and Postgraduate and Ph.D. programmes in different disciplines of Arts, Commerce, Sciences, Agricultural Sciences, Engineering & Technology and Management streams. There are 76 colleges from all over the state of Nagaland currently affiliated to Nagaland University.

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