Background

Astragalus genus includes most of the common, historical herbal medicines that have various applications in Asian countries. However, clinical data and mechanistic insights into their actions are still lacking.
Purpose

In this study, we aimed to examine the effects of astragalosides on wound healing in vitro and in vivo, as well as the underlying mechanisms of these actions.
Methods

The wound healing activity of astragalosides was investigated in human HaCaT keratinocytes, human dermal fibroblast (HDF) cells, and murine models of wound healing.
Results

All eight astragalosides studied enhanced epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) activity in HaCaT cells. Among them, astragaloside VI (AS-VI) showed the strongest EGFR activation. Consistently, AS-VI and cycloastragenol-6-O-beta-D-glucoside (CMG), which is the major metabolite of astragalosides, enhanced extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activity in a concentration-dependent manner. In agreement, both compounds induced EGFR-dependent cell proliferation and migration in HaCaT and HDF cells. In addition, we showed that AS-VI and CMG accelerated the healing of both sterile and infected wounds in vivo. These effects were associated with increased angiogenesis in the scar tissue.
Conclusion

AS-VI and CMG increased the proliferation and migration of skin cells via activation of the EGFR/ERK signalling pathway, resulting in the improvement of wound healing in vitro and in vivo. These findings indicate the therapeutic potential of AS-VI and CMG to accelerate wound healing; additionally, they suggest the mechanistic basis of this activity.