Asiaticoside–nitric oxide synergistically accelerate diabetic wound healing by regulating key metabolites and SRC/STAT3 signaling
BackgroundDiabetic wounds pose significant clinical challenges due to impaired healing processes, often resulting in chronic, nonhealing ulcers. Asiaticoside (AC), a natural triterpene derivative from Centella asiatica, has demonstrated notable anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties. However, the synergistic effects of nitric oxide (NO)—a recognized promoter of wound healing—combined with AC in treating diabetic wounds remain inadequately explored.MethodsUltraperformance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) was utilized to identify differential metabolites and dysregulated metabolic pathways associated with diabetic wounds. Molecular docking analyses were conducted to confirm the binding affinity of AC to key therapeutic targets. The effects of asiaticoside–nitric oxide hydrogel (ACNO) on gene and protein expression were evaluated using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and western blotting. In vitro experiments using sarcoma (SRC) agonists and inhibitors were performed to investigate the impact of ACNO therapy on the expression of SRC, STAT3, and other proteins in HaCaT cells.ResultsMetabolomic profiling revealed that diabetic wounds in mice exhibited marked metabolic dysregulation, which was attenuated by ACNO treatment. Key metabolites modulated by ACNO included mandelic acid, lactic acid, and 3-hydroxyisovaleric acid. The primary metabolic pathways involved were methyl histidine metabolism and the malate–aspartate shuttle. Immunofluorescence staining confirmed that ACNO therapy enhanced angiogenesis, promoted cellular proliferation, and facilitated diabetic wound closure. RT-qPCR data demonstrated that ACNO regulated the transcription of critical genes (SRC, STAT3, EGFR, and VEGFA). Notably, ACNO attenuated SRC/STAT3 pathway activation while concurrently upregulating EGFR and VEGFA expression.ConclusionsThese findings emphasize the therapeutic potential of ACNO hydrogel in diabetic wound healing through the modulation of metabolic pathways and the SRC/STAT3 signaling axis. By correlating altered metabolites with molecular targets, this study elucidates the pharmacodynamic foundation for ACNO’s preclinical application and provides valuable insights into the development of targeted therapies for diabetic wound management.
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49
- 10.1038/s12276-020-0381-5
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97
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747
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2215
- 10.1016/s0140-6736(05)67700-8
- Nov 1, 2005
- The Lancet
682
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4
- 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1165491
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4438
- 10.1177/0022034509359125
- Feb 5, 2010
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Bioengineered Scaffolds and 3D Printing in Wound Healing: Innovative Strategies for Chronic Wound Management
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- May 24, 2025
- Scientific Reports
Drug resistance develops frequently after colorectal carcinoma (CRC) surgery, indicating the urgent need for new therapeutic strategies. Taletrectinib (DS-6051b/AB-106), a synthetic ROS1/NTRK inhibitor which has shown meaningful antitumor activity, is currently undergoing clinical trials aimed at addressing targeted resistance. However, the anti-cancer effect of taletrectinib on CRC remains unclear. In this study, our purpose was to evaluate taletrectinib-related cytotoxicity in vitro using two CRC cell lines, as well as in vivo in a mouse tumor model. The mechanism underlying the cytotoxicity of taletrectinib was evaluated using light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, immunofluorescence assays, an annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide detection, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assays, and western blotting. We found that the viability of CRC cells decreased with increasing concentrations of taletrectinib. In addition, transcriptome sequencing indicated that HCT116 and LOVO cell lines did not carry ROS1- or NTRK-related gene fusions and that the cytotoxic effect of taletrectinib was exerted via caspase-3/gasdermin E (GSDME)-dependent pyroptosis. Moreover, the effect of taletrectinib in promoting pyroptosis was reversed by treatment with the SRC agonist, tolimidone, both in vitro and in vivo. Overall, our findings suggest that taletrectinib suppresses tumor growth by inducing GSDME-mediated pyroptosis via the SRC/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway, indicating that taletrectinib shows potential as a promising therapeutic agent against CRC.
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Dual-domain engineered exosome-based self-powered microneedle delivery platform for the treatment of infected wounds
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37
- 10.1111/1753-0407.12223
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- Journal of Diabetes
Topically applied opioids promote angiogenesis and healing of ischemic wounds in rats. We examined if topical fentanyl stimulates wound healing in diabetic rats by stimulating growth-promoting signaling, angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis and nerve regeneration. We used Zucker diabetic fatty rats that develop obesity and diabetes on a high fat diet due to a mutation in the Leptin receptor. Fentanyl blended with hydrocream was applied topically on ischemic wounds twice daily, and wound closure was analyzed regularly. Wound histology was analyzed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. Angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis, nerve fibers and phospho-platelet derived growth factor receptor-β (PDGFR-β) were visualized by CD31-, lymphatic vessel endothelium-1, protein gene product 9.5- and anti-phospho PDGFR-β-immunoreactivity, respectively. Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and PDGFR-β signaling were analyzed using Western immunoblotting. Fentanyl significantly promoted wound closure as compared to phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). Histology scores were significantly higher in fentanyl-treated wounds, indicative of increased granulation tissue formation, reduced edema and inflammation, and increased matrix deposition. Fentanyl treatment resulted in increased wound angiogenesis, lymphatic vasculature, nerve fibers, nitric oxide, NOS and PDGFR-β signaling as compared to PBS. Phospho-PDGFR-β co-localized with CD31 co-staining for vasculature. Topically applied fentanyl promotes closure of ischemic wounds in diabetic rats. Increased angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis, peripheral nerve regeneration, NO and PDGFR-β signaling are associated with fentanyl-induced tissue remodeling and wound healing.
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30
- 10.1016/j.actbio.2024.05.015
- May 9, 2024
- Acta Biomaterialia
A Zn-MOF-GOx-based cascade nanoreactor promotes diabetic infected wound healing by NO release and microenvironment regulation
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201
- 10.1016/j.jvs.2007.02.068
- Jun 1, 2007
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Angiogenesis and vasculogenesis: Inducing the growth of new blood vessels and wound healing by stimulation of bone marrow–derived progenitor cell mobilization and homing
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- 10.1016/j.actbio.2025.04.047
- Aug 1, 2025
- Acta biomaterialia
Sustained ROS scavenging and pericellular oxygenation by lignin composites rescue HIF-1α and VEGF levels to improve diabetic wound neovascularization and healing.
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69
- 10.1038/mt.2013.258
- Apr 1, 2014
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Skin Electroporation of a Plasmid Encoding hCAP-18/LL-37 Host Defense Peptide Promotes Wound Healing
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64
- 10.3389/fbioe.2022.829868
- Jan 31, 2022
- Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology
Diabetic wounds remain a great challenge for clinicians due to the multiple bacterial infections and oxidative damage. Exosomes, as an appealing nanodrug delivery system, have been widely applied in the treatment of diabetic wounds. Endovascular cells are important component cells of the vascular wall. Herein, we investigated the effects of HUCMSCs and HUC-Exos (exosomes secreted by HUCMSCs) on diabetic wound healing. In this study, HUVECs were coincubated with HUCMSCs, and HUC-Exos were utilized for in vitro and in vivo experiments to verify their roles in the regulation of diabetic wound healing. Our results demonstrated that HUCMSCs have the ability to regulate oxidative stress injuries of endothelial cells through exosomes and accelerate diabetic cutaneous wound healing in vitro. The present study suggests that HUC-Exos accelerate diabetic cutaneous wound healing, providing a promising therapeutic strategy for chronic diabetic wound repair.
- Research Article
143
- 10.1371/journal.pone.0231962
- Apr 23, 2020
- PLoS ONE
Vascular deficits are a fundamental contributing factor of diabetes-associated diseases. Although previous studies have demonstrated that the pro-angiogenic phase of wound healing is blunted in diabetes, a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms that regulate skin revascularization and capillary stabilization in diabetic wounds is lacking. Using a mouse model of diabetic wound healing, we performed microCT analysis of the 3-dimensional architecture of the capillary bed. As compared to wild type, vessel surface area, branch junction number, total vessel length, and total branch number were significantly decreased in wounds of diabetic mice as compared to WT mice. Diabetic mouse wounds also had significantly increased capillary permeability and decreased pericyte coverage of capillaries. Diabetic wounds exhibited significant perturbations in the expression of factors that affect vascular regrowth, maturation and stability. Specifically, the expression of VEGF-A, Sprouty2, PEDF, LRP6, Thrombospondin 1, CXCL10, CXCR3, PDGFR-β, HB-EGF, EGFR, TGF-β1, Semaphorin3a, Neuropilin 1, angiopoietin 2, NG2, and RGS5 were down-regulated in diabetic wounds. Together, these studies provide novel information about the complexity of the perturbation of angiogenesis in diabetic wounds. Targeting factors responsible for wound resolution and vascular pruning, as well those that affect pericyte recruitment, maturation, and stability may have the potential to improve diabetic skin wound healing.
- Research Article
18
- 10.1016/j.actbio.2022.11.054
- Feb 1, 2023
- Acta Biomaterialia
Polyphenol-driven facile assembly of a nanosized acid fibroblast growth factor-containing coacervate accelerates the healing of diabetic wounds.
- Research Article
3
- 10.2174/1386207325666220418095316
- Feb 1, 2023
- Combinatorial Chemistry & High Throughput Screening
The "Ruan Jian Qing Mai (RJQM) recipe" is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), which has been found to have significant curative effects on diabetic ulcers in the clinic for a long time. Previous research has shown that RJQM can improve diabetic skin wound healing and promote angiogenesis. However, the active ingredients of the RJQM recipe and its pharmacological mechanism of treatment for diabetic skin wound healing still remain unclear.This study aims to investigate the effect of the RJQM recipe on diabetic wound healing, and to identify the possible active ingredients and their mechanism. First, a skin injury model was established in diabetic mice, and wound healing was evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), and western blot analysis. Second, the chemical constituents of the RJQM recipe were analyzed and identified by ultra pressure liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS). Finally, the possible targets of drug treatment for diabetic skin injury were analyzed by network pharmacology and verified by in vitro experiments using cell culture. (1) In the full-thickness skin injury model, the skin wound healing rate and healing area were significantly increased in mice treated with the RJQM recipe compared with those of the model group. The results of immunofluorescence staining showed that the RJQM recipe could increase the expression of VEGF protein and promote the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells and the formation of microvessels, and RT-qPCR results found that the mRNA expression of angiogenesis-related factors in the RJQM recipe group was significantly higher than that in the model group. (2) A total of 25 compounds were identified by UPLC-MS. (3) According to the results of network pharmacology, the therapeutic effect of the RJQM recipe on diabetic skin injury may be related to S6 (quercetin), S1 (typhaneoside), S18 (isoliquiritigenin), protein kinase B-α (Akt1), phosphoinositide-3-kinase regulatory subunit 1 (PIK3R1), insulin-like growth factor I receptor (IGF1R), vascular endothelial growth factor-a (VEGF-a), signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT3) and phosphoinositide 3-kinase-protein kinase B (PI3K-Akt) signaling pathways. Based on the predictions by network pharmacology, we proved that the drug could treat diabetic skin damage by activating the PI3K-Akt-VEGF signaling pathway. The RJQM recipe promotes the formation of granulation tissue during the process of wound healing and exerts a good therapeutic effect on diabetic skin wound healing.
- Research Article
- 10.20473/cmsnj.v14i1.61095
- Feb 28, 2025
- Critical Medical and Surgical Nursing Journal
Introduction: One of the complications of diabetes is wounds on the feet. The use of curcumin as a natural ingredient can accelerate the healing of diabetic wounds with its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. However, curcumin has low solubility so it requires a conductor such as hyaluronic acid in egg shells to increase hydration and bioavailability. The aim of this research was to determine the effectiveness of turmeric rhizome and egg shell extract ointment in healing diabetic wounds. Methods: True experimental research was carried out using a pre-post test control group design. This research was carried out using 36 mice which were divided equally into 6 control and treatment groups. This study used Kruskal Wallis analysis to determine differences between groups with a significance level used of p<0.05. Macroscopic monitoring by measuring the diameter of the wound and microscopically monitoring the wound using histopathological tests was carried out in this study. Results: The results of macroscopic and histopathological observations showed that the F3 ointment dose group had the best speed of healing diabetic wounds in mice when compared with the other groups. The statistical results significantly show the effect of administering turmeric rhizome and egg shell extract ointment at a p-value of 0.035. Conclusion: Using a combination of turmeric rhizome and egg shell ointment at a dose of 9:15 was proven to be effective in helping speed healing of diabetic wounds in DDY strain mice. This study has the potential to be continued in the next stage by comparing different doses of egg shells so as to create a more effective formulation in healing diabetic wounds.
- Research Article
50
- 10.1016/j.jdermsci.2017.02.285
- Mar 6, 2017
- Journal of Dermatological Science
Mesenchymal stem cells-derived MFG-E8 accelerates diabetic cutaneous wound healing
- Research Article
2
- 10.2174/0115733998335873241012161428
- Nov 29, 2024
- Current Diabetes Reviews
Abstract: Diabetic chronic wounds and amputations are very serious complications of diabetes mellitus (DM) that result from an integration factor, including oxygen deprivation, elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS), reduced angiogenesis, and microbial invasion. These causative factors lead to tenacious wounds in an inflammatory state, which eventually results in tissue aging and necrosis. Wound healing in DM potentially targets C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) regulates several signalling pathways. The CXCR4 signalling pathway integrated with phospholipase C (PLC)/protein kinase-C (PKC) Ca2+ pathways, stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1), and mitogen- activated protein kinases (MAPKs) pathway for enhancing cell chemotaxis, proliferation, and survival. The dysregulated CXCR4 pathway is connected with poor wound healing in DM patients. Therapeutic strategies targeting CXCR4-based molecules such as UCUF-728, UCUF-965, and AMD3100 have been shown to enhance diabetic wound healing by altering miRNA expression, promoting angiogenesis, and accelerating wound closure. This study indicates that CXCR4 participation in various signalling pathways makes it essential for Understanding the healing of diabetic wounds. Using specific compounds to target CXCR4 offers a potentially effective treatment strategy to improve wound healing in diabetes. Our understanding of CXCR4 signalling and its regulation processes will enable us to develop more potent wound care solutions for diabetic chronic wounds. This report concludes that CXCR4's potential therapeutic targeting shows improvements in diabetic wound repair. This review will demonstrate that CXCR4 plays a major role in wound healing through its various signalling pathways. Targeting CXCR4 with certain agonist molecules shows a therapeutic approach to potentially increasing wound healing in diabetes. By enhancing our understanding of the CXCR4 signalling mechanism in future studies, we can develop more potential treatments for chronic diabetic wounds.
- Research Article
28
- 10.1089/wound.2015.0676
- Nov 1, 2016
- Advances in Wound Care
Objective: Impaired wound healing in diabetic (DB) patients is a significant health problem; however, the roles that cytokines and innate immune cells contribute to this impaired healing are not completely understood. Approach: A mouse model was used to compare the innate immune response during DB and normal wound healing. Two 5-mm full-thickness wounds were created on the dorsal skin of BKS.Cg-m+/+Leprdb/J (DB) and C57BL/6 (wild-type) mice. Innate immune cell markers and cytokine mRNA levels were measured in wound biopsies during the first week of healing. Results: Innate immune cell influx (typified by the Gr-1 neutrophil marker and the Ym1 macrophage marker) was delayed in the DB wounds. Expression of the M2 macrophage-related genes, Ym1 and arginase 1, was significantly reduced in the DB wounds. PCR array analysis demonstrated altered cytokine expression in DB wounds. Most prominently, both interleukin (IL)-17 and IL-20 mRNA levels were significantly increased in the DB wounds. Innovation: This is the first study to identify increased levels of IL-17 and IL-20 in DB wounds. These cytokines are also elevated in the inflammatory skin disorder, psoriasis; thus, they may be potential therapeutic targets to aid in DB wound healing. Conclusion: The entire cytokine profile of DB wounds over the course of healing is not completely understood. This study suggests that the IL-17 and IL-20 families of cytokines should be further analyzed in the context of DB wound healing.
- Research Article
17
- 10.3389/fmed.2021.775523
- Dec 21, 2021
- Frontiers in Medicine
Diabetic wounds are recalcitrant to healing. One of the important characteristics of diabetic trauma is impaired macrophage polarization with an excessive inflammatory response. Many studies have described the important regulatory roles of microRNAs (miRNAs) in macrophage differentiation and polarization. However, the differentially expressed miRNAs involved in wound healing and their effects on diabetic wounds remain to be further explored. In this study, we first identified differentially expressed miRNAs in the inflammation, tissue formation and reconstruction phases in wound healing using Illumina sequencing and RT-qPCR techniques. Thereafter, the expression of musculus (mmu)-miR-145a-5p (“miR-145a-5p” for short) in excisional wounds of diabetic mice was identified. Finally, expression of miR-145a-5p was measured to determine its effects on macrophage polarization in murine RAW 264.7 macrophage cells and wound healing in diabetic mice. We identified differentially expressed miRNAs at different stages of wound healing, ten of which were further confirmed by RT-qPCR. Expression of miR-145a-5p in diabetic wounds was downregulated during the tissue formation stage. Furthermore, we observed that miR-145a-5p blocked M1 macrophage polarization while promoting M2 phenotype activation in vitro. Administration of miR-145a-5p mimics during initiation of the repair phase significantly accelerated wound healing in db/db diabetic mice. In conclusion, our findings suggest that rectifying macrophage function using miR-145a-5p overexpression accelerates diabetic chronic wound healing.
- Research Article
17
- 10.1155/2019/4352470
- Jul 21, 2019
- Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Background Circulating micro-RNAs are differentially expressed in various tissues and could be considered as potential regulatory biomarkers for T2DM and related complications, such as chronic wounds. Aim In the current study, we investigated whether ginger extract enriched with [6]-gingerol-fractions either alone or in combination with vitamin D accelerates diabetic wound healing and explores underlying molecular changes in the expression of miRNA and their predicted role in diabetic wound healing. Methods Diabetic wounded mice were treated with [6]-gingerol-fractions (GF) (25 mg/kg of body weight) either alone or in combination with vitamin D (100 ng/kg per day) for two weeks. Circulating miRNA profile, fibrogenesis markers, hydroxyproline (HPX), fibronectin (FN), and collagen deposition, diabetic control variables, FBS, HbA1c, C-peptide, and insulin, and wound closure rate and histomorphometric analyses were, respectively, measured at days 3, 6, 9, and 15 by RT–PCR and immunoassay analysis. Results Treatment of diabetic wounds with GF and vitamin D showed significant improvement in wound healing as measured by higher expression levels of HPX, FN, collagen, accelerated wound closure, complete epithelialization, and scar formation in short periods (11-13 days, (P < 0.01). On a molecular level, three circulating miRNAs, miR-155, miR-146a, and miR-15a, were identified in diabetic and nondiabetic skin wounds by PCR analysis. Lower expression in miR-155 levels and higher expression of miR-146a and miR-15a levels were observed in diabetic skin wounds following treatment with gingerols fractions and vitamin D for 15 days. The data showed that miRNAs, miR-146a, miR-155, and miR-15a, correlated positively with the expression levels of HPX, FN, and collagen and negatively with FBS, HbA1c, C-peptide, and insulin in diabetic wounds following treatment with GF and /or vitamin D, respectively. Conclusion Treatment with gingerols fractions (GF) and vitamin D for two weeks significantly improves delayed diabetic wound healing. The data showed that vitamin D and gingerol activate vascularization, fibrin deposition (HPX, FN, and collagen), and myofibroblasts in such manner to synthesize new tissues and help in the scar formation. Accordingly, three miRNAs, miR-155, miR-146a, and miR-15, as molecular targets, were identified and significantly evaluated in wound healing process. It showed significant association with fibrin deposition, vascularization, and reepithelialization process following treatment with GF and vitamin D. It proposed having anti-inflammatory action and promoting new tissue formation via vascularization process during the wound healing. Therefore, it is very interesting to consider miRNAs as molecular targets for evaluating the efficiency of nondrug therapy in the regulation of wound healing process.
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