Nicotinamide Riboside and Resveratrol Promote Diabetic Wound Healing: Preclinical Findings

Synopsis

Diabetic skin ulcers are difficult to treat and often lead to severe complications like infection or amputation. This study investigated how nicotinamide riboside (NR)—a vitamin B3–derived NAD+ precursor—and resveratrol (RV)—a plant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound—affect wound healing in diabetic rats. Oral and topical treatment with NR and RV for several weeks significantly improved wound closure rates, reduced inflammation, and promoted new skin formation (re-epithelialization). On a molecular level, both compounds helped correct imbalances in the unfolded protein response (UPR)—a stress pathway in cells—and reduced pyroptosis, a form of inflammatory cell death that worsens tissue damage. The combination of NR and RV produced the strongest healing effect, outperforming either treatment alone. These findings suggest that combining NAD+ boosters like NR with resveratrol offers a powerful, multi-targeted therapy to enhance diabetic wound healing and may represent a new approach for managing chronic diabetic ulcers.

Journal

International Immunopharmacology