Last updated August 16, 2026
Key finding
The melatonin group demonstrated a significant decrease in ulcer number compared to the placebo group (p < 0.05).
The study evaluated the effectiveness of topical 1% melatonin hydrogel for healing diabetic foot ulcers compared to a placebo, finding significant improvements in ulcer healing.
Quick read
The essential study design details in one scan.
EvidenceScore™
Moderate
Study type
RCTs
Follow-up
Short-Term (≤3 mo)
Risk of bias
Some Concerns
Save research, organize studies, and quickly find important evidence again.
Plain-language summary
A plain-language read of the study’s main message and where it applies.
Study focus
The study evaluated the effectiveness of topical 1% melatonin hydrogel for healing diabetic foot ulcers compared to a placebo, finding significant improvements in ulcer healing.
Diabetic foot ulcers are a common and serious complication of diabetes, often leading to infections and amputations. Effective treatments are crucial for improving patient outcomes and reducing healthcare costs. The findings suggest that melatonin hydrogel could be a valuable addition to current treatment options, potentially enhancing healing and reducing ulcer severity.
The study's sample size may limit generalizability. The duration of the study may not capture long-term effects. Potential biases in participant selection could affect results.
Published in
Publication details and source links for this paper.
Fatemeh A, Laya HG, Shahram E, et al. Topical 1% Melatonin Hydrogel for Healing Diabetic Foot Ulcers: A Randomized Controlled Trial. BMC Endocrine Disorders. 2025;25:254. doi:10.1186/s12902-025-02057-1
The melatonin group demonstrated a significant decrease in ulcer number (p < 0.05).
Severity grade of ulcers was significantly reduced in the melatonin group (p < 0.05).
Healing proportion of ulcers increased significantly in the melatonin group (p < 0.05).
Evidence network
Understand where this research contributes within the broader evidence network.
This study contributes evidence to Melatonin and Healing proportion of diabetic foot ulcers, Number of ulcers, Severity grade of ulcers, and 3 more.
This study contributes evidence to
Primary intervention
Melatonin
Primary outcomes
Primary intervention
Intervention and outcome relationships this study adds to the evidence network.
Editorial context
See why this paper is useful beyond its individual results.
Evidence network role
This section describes how the study fits into the current evidence network. It does not determine whether an intervention works on its own.
0
Related topics
6
Evidence pairs
0
Related studies
Core evidence
The primary outcomes reported in this study.
Melatonin → Healing proportion of diabetic foot ulcers
Melatonin → Healing proportion of diabetic foot ulcers
Melatonin → Ulcer size reduction in new-onset ulcers
Melatonin → Ulcer size reduction in new-onset ulcers
Melatonin → Ulcer size reduction in patients with HbA1c ≤ 8%
Melatonin → Ulcer size reduction in patients with HbA1c ≤ 8%
Melatonin → Wound healing rate measured by reduction in ulcer size
Melatonin → Wound healing rate measured by reduction in ulcer size
Evidence Library
Save research, organize studies, and quickly find important evidence again.
Evidence Library
Save research, organize studies, and quickly find important evidence again.
Explore related studies, evidence collections, and research questions.
Relationships organized using the Dediabetes Evidence Intelligence™ framework.
This study contributes to evidence on Melatonin and Healing proportion of diabetic foot ulcers, Melatonin and Number of ulcers.
This study contributes to the evidence on the following intervention-outcome relationships.
Supplements
Curated evidence collections and hubs this study is part of.
All studies measuring Healing proportion of diabetic foot ulcers
Measures Healing proportion of diabetic foot ulcers as a key outcome.
All studies on Melatonin
Contributes to Melatonin evidence base.
All studies measuring Number of ulcers
Measures Number of ulcers as a key outcome.
Latest published studies
Published within the last 2 years.
Jump to pre-filtered views in Evidence Explorer.
1 results
1 results
1 results
1 results
1 results
Generated from the study's connected evidence using Evidence Intelligence™.
Melatonin appears to improve Healing proportion of diabetic foot ulcers.
ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.
Ranked evidence signals
Healing proportion of diabetic foot ulcers
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.
Limitations
Melatonin appears to improve Number of ulcers.
ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.
Ranked evidence signals
Number of ulcers
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.
Limitations
Melatonin appears to improve Severity grade of ulcers.
ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.
Ranked evidence signals
Severity grade of ulcers
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.
Limitations
Melatonin appears to improve Ulcer size reduction in new-onset ulcers.
ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.
Ranked evidence signals
Ulcer size reduction in new-onset ulcers
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.
Limitations
Next steps
Choose a next path through related evidence topics, Evidence Explorer views, and research summaries.
Open broader Evidence Explorer views for this relationship.
Read related research summaries.
Focused on evidence, not advertising.
Your data is always protected.
New studies added every day.
