The comparison of topical enzyme alginogel and epidermal growth factor treatment on diabetic foot ulcer

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Geyik A., Aydın E., Yılmaz M.

Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Dergisi, cilt.40, sa.2, ss.166-177, 2026 (Hakemli Dergi)

• Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
• Cilt numarası: 40 Sayı: 2
• Basım Tarihi: 2026
• Doi Numarası: 10.18614/dehm.1699455
• Dergi Adı: Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Dergisi
• Sayfa Sayıları: ss.166-177
• Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND

This study investigated the efficacy of enzyme alginogel (EA) and topical epidermal growth factor (EGF) in treating diabetic foot 

ulcers (DFUs). 

METHODS

A total of 16 patients with Wagner stage I or II DFUs were randomly assigned to either the enzyme alginogel or epidermal growth 

factor treatment group for a period of two months. The dimensions of the ulcers (i.e. width, height and depth) were measured on a 

weekly basis.

RESULTS

While both treatments resulted in a reduction in ulcer size, no statistically significant difference in healing was observed between 

the two groups (before and after treatment height p= 0.584, p=0.834, width p=0.38, p=0.83, depth p=0.90, p=0.23, p>0.05). Complete 

epithelialization was not achieved in five patients (two participants from the enzyme alginogel gel group and three participants from 

the epidermal growth factor group). 

CONCLUSION

The findings of this study indicate that both the enzyme alginogel and the topical epidermal growth factor are effective in promoting 

healing in superficial diabetic foot ulcers, but further research with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods is required to 

confirm these findings and to explore their effectiveness in more complex ulcer cases.

KEYWORDS

Diabetic foot ulcer, dressings,enzyme alginogel,epidermal growth factor, wound healing