Forsythia suspensa accelerates wound healing by inhibiting neutrophil extracellular traps and activating Wnt/β-catenin via forsythoside A

Background Cutaneous wound repair is a complex biological process that restores the integrity of the skin. Forsythia suspensa (LQ) is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb known for its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties; however, its role and molecular mechanisms in promoting cutaneous tissue regeneration remain unclear. Objective This study aimed to evaluate the pharmacological efficacy of LQ and its bioactive compounds in treating acute skin injuries and to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms. Method Two distinct animal models, a full-thickness thermal injury wound (complex inflammatory damage) and a full-thickness excisional wound (mechanical trauma), were established to evaluate the therapeutic potential of LQ. Therapeutic effects were assessed by histopathological examination and immunofluorescence analysis of skin lesions. RNA sequencing and pathway-specific inhibitors were used to investigate and validate the molecular mechanisms involved. Active compounds were identified by UPLC-MS/MS, and their mechanisms of action were explored using molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulation, and experimental validation. Results LQ significantly accelerates cutaneous wound healing in both models. Mechanistically, LQ promotes tissue regeneration by suppressing neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation and activating Wnt/β-catenin signaling to drive epidermal cell proliferation, and these effects are reversed by the NET inhibitor GSK484 and the Wnt pathway inhibitor IWP2. Forsythoside A, an active component of LQ, similarly enhances wound closure, re-epithelialization, and cell proliferation, indicating that it is likely the key mediator. We further show that inhibition of NETs increases Wnt ligand production and β-catenin signaling, linking inflammatory responses to regenerative signaling. Conclusion LQ and forsythoside A promote skin wound healing by coordinately regulating NET-mediated inflammation and Wnt/β-catenin signaling–mediated cell proliferation, thereby highlighting their potential as therapeutic agents in regenerative medicine.