AUTHOR=Hu Yonghui , Lei Sisi , Yan Zhiyue , Hu Zhibo , Guo Jun , Guo Hang , Sun Bei , Pan Congqing 

TITLE=Angelica Dahurica Regulated the Polarization of Macrophages and Accelerated Wound Healing in Diabetes: A Network Pharmacology Study and In Vivo Experimental Validation

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Pharmacology

VOLUME=12

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2021.678713

DOI=10.3389/fphar.2021.678713

ISSN=1663-9812

ABSTRACT=<p>Diabetic wounds exhibit retarded and partial healing processes. Therefore, patients are exposed to an elevated risk of infection. It has been verified that Angelica dahurica (Hoffm.) Benth. and Hook. f. ex Franch. and Sav (<italic>A. dahurica</italic>) is conducive for wound healing. However, the pharmacological mechanisms of <italic>A. dahurica</italic> are yet to be established. The present study uses network pharmacology and <italic>in vivo</italic> experimental validation to investigate the underlying process that makes <italic>A. dahurica</italic> conducive for faster wound healing in diabetes patients. 54 potential targets in <italic>A. dahurica</italic> that act on wound healing were identified through network pharmacology assays, such as signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), JUN, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and prostaglandin G/H synthase 2 (PTGS2). Furthermore, <italic>in vivo</italic> validation showed that <italic>A. dahurica</italic> accelerated wound healing through anti-inflammatory effects. More specifically, it regulates the polarization of M1 and M2 subtypes of macrophages. <italic>A. dahurica</italic> exerted a curative effect on diabetic wound healing by regulating the inflammation. Hence, pharmacologic network analysis combined with <italic>in vivo</italic> validation elucidated the probable effects and underlying mechanisms of <italic>A. dahurica</italic>’s therapeutic effect on diabetic wound healing.</p>