Diabetes affects an increasing number of patients, and is associated with sustained and chronic inflammation. Complications arising from diabetes, including hypoxia, neuropathy, hyperglycemia, and ischemia that contribute to a delayed and reduced healing response result in chronic slow healing wounds. Here, key differences in native versus diabetic wound healing during each phase of healing are discussed, and the roles of cells and their secreted cytokines which regulate this process are outlined. Monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 (MCP‐1) is a pro‐inflammatory mediator which plays a key role in modulating angiogenesis. Its importance in diabetic wound healing as well as recent work using MCP‐1 and similar chemokines to reduce inflammation and improve healing are reviewed. The delayed healing response observed in diabetic patients often results in the formation of slow healing wounds, commonly presenting in the lower extremities as diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs); classification systems and current treatment options for DFUs, including debridement, off‐loading, and amputation are outlined. Common dressing strategies are highlighted, and recent work developing biocompatible and bioactive hydrogels to address and hasten chronic wound healing is focused on.

The COVID‐19 (coronavirus disease) global pandemic, caused by the spread of the SARS‐CoV‐2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) virus, currently has limited treatment options which include vaccines, anti‐virals, and repurposed therapeutics. With their high specificity, tunability, and biocompatibility, small molecules like peptides are positioned to act as key players in combating SARS‐CoV‐2, and can be readily modified to match viral mutation rate. A recent expansion of the understanding of the viral structure and entry mechanisms has led to the proliferation of therapeutic viral entry inhibitors. In this comprehensive review, inhibitors of SARS and SARS‐CoV‐2 are investigated and discussed based on therapeutic design, inhibitory mechanistic approaches, and common targets. Peptide therapeutics are highlighted, which have demonstrated in vitro or in vivo efficacy, discuss advantages of peptide therapeutics, and common strategies in identifying targets for viral inhibition.

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