Network Pharmacology of Theobromine in Wound Healing via Nrf2 Pathway

Amrita Nath1, S. Sangeetha2*, Taniya Mary Martin3, Meenakshi Sundaram Kishore Kumar4

1Saveetha Dental College and Hospital, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai - 600077
Email: amritanath1205@gmail.com
2*Assistant Professor, Department of Anatomy, Saveetha Dental College and Hospital, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai - 600077
Email: Sangeethas.sdc@saveetha.com
No. 162, Poonamallee High Road, Velappanchavadi, Chennai - 600077
(Corresponding Author)
3Junior Research Fellow, Department of Anatomy, Saveetha Dental College and Hospital, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai - 600077
4Assistant Professor, Department of Anatomy, Saveetha Dental College and Hospital, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai - 600077

Received: ; Revised: ; Accepted: ; Available Online:

ABSTRACT

Chronic wounds heal slowly due to persistent oxidative stress and impaired cellular responses. Activation of the Nrf2 signaling pathway plays a crucial role in regulating antioxidant defense and tissue repair. This study aimed to investigate the potential role of theobromine in wound healing through modulation of the Nrf2 pathway using a network pharmacology approach. Potential targets of theobromine were identified using SwissTarget Prediction and intersected with wound healing– and Nrf2-related genes. Theobromine helps in cardiac, cardiovascular diseases etc. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses, protein–protein interaction networks, molecular docking, and experimental validation were performed. Sixty-five potential targets were identified, with 17 overlapping wound healing genes. Key hub genes included NFE2L2, KEAP1, SOD1, and GSR. Theobromine enhanced expression of Nrf2, HO-1, NQO1, VEGF, and COL1A1. Theobromine may accelerate wound healing by activating Nrf2-mediated antioxidant and regenerative pathways.

Keywords: Theobromine, Egg, Cardiovascular disease, Nrf2 - mediated, pathway, docking, anti oxidant

How to cite this article: Nath A, Sangeetha S, Martin TM, Kumar MSK, Network Pharmacology of Theobromine in Wound Healing via Nrf2 Pathway. Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026;16(4s): 442-446; DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16.4s.54