Diabetes mellitus involves sustained high blood sugar levels that impair wound repair processes, including extended inflammation, diminished blood vessel formation, and hindered cell growth. These issues contribute to persistent, infection-prone wounds that heal slowly. Factors such as heightened oxidative stress and buildup of advanced glycation end-products further complicate recovery in diabetic patients. Consequently, there is a pressing demand for innovative, low-risk therapies to improve diabetic wound care. The present research assessed the ability of abietic acid—the primary constituent of pine rosin—to support wound healing in high-glucose environments. Experiments utilized human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. In vitro evaluations focused on cell survival, vessel formation, and activation of critical pathways involving protein kinase B (Akt), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), p38, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). In vivo assessments measured wound closure rates. Results showed that abietic acid enhanced angiogenesis and stimulated key signaling cascades in cell cultures. In the animal model, treatment with abietic acid markedly sped up healing, achieving a 93.3% reduction in wound area by day 10 versus only 46.5% in untreated controls. These outcomes indicate abietic acid holds promise as a supportive agent for diabetic wound repair and merits additional research. Subsequent work should refine dosage regimens, assess markers of inflammation and oxidative stress, and test effectiveness in type 2 diabetes models to facilitate clinical application.
