Arnebin-1 promotes angiogenesis by inducing eNOS, VEGF and HIF-1α expression through the PI3K-dependent pathway

Arnebin-1, a naphthoquinone derivative, plays a crucial role in the wound healing properties of Zicao (a traditional wound healing herbal medicine). It has been noted that Arnebin-1, in conjunction with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), exerts a synergistic pro-angiogenic effect on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and accelerates the healing process of diabetic wounds. However, the mechanisms responsible for the pro-angiogenic effect of arnebin-1 on HUVECs and its healing effect on diabetic wounds have not yet been fully elucidated. In this study, in an aim to elucidate these mechanisms of action of arnebin-1, we investigated the effects of arnebin-1 on the VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2) and the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)-dependent signaling pathways in HUVECs treated with VEGF by western blot analysis. The pro-angiogenic effects of arnebin-1 on HUVECs, including its effects on proliferation and migration, were evaluated by MTT assay, Transwell assay and tube formation assay in vitro. The expression levels of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and VEGF were determined by western blot analysis in the HUVECs and wound tissues obtained from non-diabetic and diabetic rats. CD31 expression in the rat wounds was evaluated by immunofluorescence staining. We found that the activation of the VEGFR2 signaling pathway induced by VEGF was enhanced by arnebin-1. Arnebin-1 promoted endothelial cell proliferation, migration and tube formation through the PI3K-dependent pathway. Moreover, Arnebin-1 significantly increased the eNOS, VEGF and HIF-1α expression levels in the HUVECs and accelerated the healing of diabetic wounds through the PI3K-dependent signaling pathway. CD31 expression was markedly enhanced in the wounds of diabetic rats treated with arnebin-1 compared to the wounds of untreated diabetic rats. Therefore, the findings of the present study indicate that arnebin-1 promotes the wound healing process in diabetic rats by eliciting a pro-angiogenic response.