OBJECTIVETo study the role and mechanism of the Yi medicine, Yi Bu A Jie () extract, in topical treatment of diabetic skin ulcers, with a view to finding a breakthrough natural drug for the prevention and treatment of diabetic skin ulcers.

METHODSA model of diabetic skin ulcers in Kunming mice was developed. Yi Bu A Jie was extracted in a Soxhlet extractor. Two different concentrations of the extract (0.005 mg/mL and 0.01 mg/mL) were applied to the wound of diabetic skin ulcers once every 3 days, and local skin appearance and histopathological changes were observed.

RESULTSThe shortest healing time was 25.25±2.06 day with a low concentration (P=0.0037 compared with the high concentration group, 33.14±2.21 day; P=0.0082 compared with control group, 28.21±2.14 days). The longest healing time was in the high concentration group (P=0.0025 compared with the control group). In both groups, a large number of inflammatory neutrophil cells were exuded during the experimental period. In the low concentration group, capillary-rich granulation tissue and actively growing fibroblasts appeared in the wound, while there was much necrotic tissue in the high concentration group.

CONCLUSIONYi Bu A Jie extract has an inhibitory effect on diabetic skin ulcers in mice, and the low concentration is more suitable.