Research Article

Network Pharmacology-Based Insights into the Therapeutic Mechanisms of Lawsone for Diabetic Foot Ulcer

Volume: 46 Number: 3 September 1, 2026

Network Pharmacology-Based Insights into the Therapeutic Mechanisms of Lawsone for Diabetic Foot Ulcer

Abstract

Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU), a chronic complication of diabetes, is marked by delayed wound healing due to persistent inflammation and oxidative stress. Owing to its complex pathophysiology, DFU requires therapeutic agents capable of targeting multiple molecular pathways. Lawsone, a bioactive compound from Lawsonia inermis, possesses notable antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, yet its role in DFU management has not been fully explored. This study aimed to assess the multi-target therapeutic potential of lawsone using in silico tools. Drug-likeness was predicted through SwissADME, while SwissTargetPrediction was used to identify possible molecular targets of lawsone. DFU-associated genes were obtained from GeneCards and common targets were subjected to protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis via STRING. Key hub genes were determined using Cytoscape. Functional enrichment, including Gene Ontology (GO) and KEGG pathway analysis, was performed using ShinyGO. Molecular docking through AutoDock was conducted to evaluate lawsone’s binding affinity with hub proteins. A total of 51 overlapping targets were found, with ten hub proteins such as ESR1, PTPN11 and PPARA implicated in crucial DFU-related processes. Docking results indicated favorable binding interactions. This study provides computational evidence for lawsone’s multi-target efficacy, supporting its potential role in modulating key pathways involved in diabetic wound healing.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

No human or animal subjects were involved in this study. Hence, ethical committee approval was not required.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutical Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Analytical Chemistry, Pharmacognosy, Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical Botany, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Delivery Technologies, Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice, Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Basic Pharmacology, Medical Pharmacology

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

September 1, 2026

Submission Date

July 24, 2025

Acceptance Date

August 15, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 46 Number: 3

APA
Ramajayam, N., Sheık Mydeen, J. B., S, D., & R, I. (2026). Network Pharmacology-Based Insights into the Therapeutic Mechanisms of Lawsone for Diabetic Foot Ulcer. Hacettepe University Journal of the Faculty of Pharmacy, 46(3), 205-219. https://doi.org/10.52794/hujpharm.1750206
AMA
1.Ramajayam N, Sheık Mydeen JB, S D, R I. Network Pharmacology-Based Insights into the Therapeutic Mechanisms of Lawsone for Diabetic Foot Ulcer. HUJPHARM. 2026;46(3):205-219. doi:10.52794/hujpharm.1750206
Chicago
Ramajayam, Nithyapriya, Jainambu Beevi Sheık Mydeen, Deepakmuthu S, and Indumathy R. 2026. “Network Pharmacology-Based Insights into the Therapeutic Mechanisms of Lawsone for Diabetic Foot Ulcer”. Hacettepe University Journal of the Faculty of Pharmacy 46 (3): 205-19. https://doi.org/10.52794/hujpharm.1750206.
EndNote
Ramajayam N, Sheık Mydeen JB, S D, R I (September 1, 2026) Network Pharmacology-Based Insights into the Therapeutic Mechanisms of Lawsone for Diabetic Foot Ulcer. Hacettepe University Journal of the Faculty of Pharmacy 46 3 205–219.
IEEE
[1]N. Ramajayam, J. B. Sheık Mydeen, D. S, and I. R, “Network Pharmacology-Based Insights into the Therapeutic Mechanisms of Lawsone for Diabetic Foot Ulcer”, HUJPHARM, vol. 46, no. 3, pp. 205–219, Sept. 2026, doi: 10.52794/hujpharm.1750206.
ISNAD
Ramajayam, Nithyapriya - Sheık Mydeen, Jainambu Beevi - S, Deepakmuthu - R, Indumathy. “Network Pharmacology-Based Insights into the Therapeutic Mechanisms of Lawsone for Diabetic Foot Ulcer”. Hacettepe University Journal of the Faculty of Pharmacy 46/3 (September 1, 2026): 205-219. https://doi.org/10.52794/hujpharm.1750206.
JAMA
1.Ramajayam N, Sheık Mydeen JB, S D, R I. Network Pharmacology-Based Insights into the Therapeutic Mechanisms of Lawsone for Diabetic Foot Ulcer. HUJPHARM. 2026;46:205–219.
MLA
Ramajayam, Nithyapriya, et al. “Network Pharmacology-Based Insights into the Therapeutic Mechanisms of Lawsone for Diabetic Foot Ulcer”. Hacettepe University Journal of the Faculty of Pharmacy, vol. 46, no. 3, Sept. 2026, pp. 205-19, doi:10.52794/hujpharm.1750206.
Vancouver
1.Nithyapriya Ramajayam, Jainambu Beevi Sheık Mydeen, Deepakmuthu S, Indumathy R. Network Pharmacology-Based Insights into the Therapeutic Mechanisms of Lawsone for Diabetic Foot Ulcer. HUJPHARM. 2026 Sep. 1;46(3):205-19. doi:10.52794/hujpharm.1750206