Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine in Promoting Diabetic Foot Ulcer Healing: Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms

Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU), one of the most severe complications of diabetes mellitus, presents with refractory healing mechanisms involving chronic inflammation, vascular pathology, and dysregulated cellular signaling pathways. This review systematically summarizes therapeutic strategies for promoting DFU wound healing from both Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Western medicine perspectives, as well as their related cellular and molecular mechanisms: 1) common cytokines and signaling pathways associated with DFU are outlined; 2) TCM internal therapies such as Simiao Yong’an Decoction and Huangqi Yanghe Decoction, along with external therapies including Zizhu Ointment, Xianglei Tangzu Ointment, and acupuncture, are described together with their mechanisms of action; 3) Western medical interventions such as vascular reconstruction, growth factor therapy, and physical therapies are reviewed in relation to their mechanisms. The findings indicate that both TCM and Western medicine converge on shared molecular targets, providing a scientific perspective for integrative approaches in DFU management.