Assessment of Angiogenesis Potential of 5- Amino Salicylic Acid by In Vivo Studies

Tissue repair and regeneration depend on the synchronized phases of healing of wounds. Angiogenesis plays a vital role in this process. Cellular activities within the wound initiate angiogenesis from pre-existing vasculature, accelerating healing and repair. A delicate yet strategic balance between pro-angiogenic and anti-angiogenic biomolecules by circulating cells controls this process. Current studies suggest small molecules like drugs are under investigation for their potential to induce angiogenesis and promote healing. This study is aimed at investigating the efficacy of topical 5-amino salicylic acid (5-ASA), an anti-inflammatory drug for wound healing through angiogenesis. A more precise evaluation of the physiological processes underlying angiogenesis was achieved by employing chick chorioallantoic membrane assay, zebrafish embryogenesis, and the rat polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) sponge implantation model. Our findings showed that 5-ASA administration promoted angiogenesis across all three models. In the CAM assay, 5-ASA promoted blood vessel development without causing damage while, in the zebrafish model, embryos treated with 5-ASA sprouted more new blood vessels in intersegmental vessels. After these findings, we corroborated these results in PVA sponge implantation model; 5-ASA-treated groups exhibited enhanced cellular infiltration, collagen deposition, and neovascularization relative to vehicle-treated controls. These findings suggest that topical 5-ASA may offer a novel therapeutic approach to wound healing.