Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells combined with intramuscular injection promote the healing of diabetic foot ulcers: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Relatively higher-quality human studies compared with other topics in this database, e.g. multiple RCTs or systematic reviews. This does not mean it is standard or approved care.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

Background Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) represent a debilitating complication of diabetes characterized by high rates of morbidity and mortality, yet conventional management often yields limited efficacy. Although cell-based therapies offer a promising therapeutic avenue, their clinical efficacy and optimal target populations remain to be definitively established. Methods We searched databases including PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure from inception to November 2025 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Study quality was assessed using the Revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials. Meta-analysis, subgroup analysis, and heterogeneity analysis were performed using R software (version 4.3.3). Sensitivity analysis was conducted via the leave-one-out method. Results Thirty-two RCTs involving 2059 patients were included, assessing nine core outcomes including ulcer healing rate and amputation rate. Pooled analysis demonstrated that cell therapy significantly improved the ulcer healing rate (OR = 4.64, 95% CI: 3.11 to 6.90), reduced the amputation rate (OR = 0.29, 95% CI: 0.18 to 0.49), enhanced limb perfusion (ABI MD = 0.14, 95% CI: 0.05 to 0.22; TcPO 2 MD = 11.58, 95% CI: 5.36 to 17.80), alleviated pain (resting pain score MD = -1.04, 95% CI: -1.49 to -0.59), reduced ulcer area (MD = -2.15, 95% CI

Evidence level

Relatively higher-quality human studies compared with other topics in this database, e.g. multiple RCTs or systematic reviews. This does not mean it is standard or approved care.

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