Objective To observe the possible mechanism of Tianlou Jiedu Xiaozhong San（ 天楼解毒消肿散

TJXS） in the treatment of diabetic foot. Methods Sixty rats were randomized into control group

model group

TJXS group

mupirocin group and Ruyi Jinhuang San（ 如意金黄散

RJS） group

with 12 rats in each group. Diabetic model was made by high fat diet and streptozotocin（ i. p.） in each group except the control group. Diabetic foot model was made by burning. The control group was not given any treatment

the model group was given daily routine clearance of limb ulcers

TJXS group was given TJXS scattered directly to the ulcer

mupirocin group was given mupirocin externally applied and RJS group was given RJS externally applied or with Vaseline on the gauze on the affected part. The entire ulcer surface should be just covered in each group and the treatments were given daily. After 2 weeks of administration

the general condition and the size of ulcer were observed

the changes of dorsalis pedis artery in each group were observed by HE staining

and the expressions of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α（ HIF-1α）

vascular endothelial growth factor（ VEGF） protein and microvessel density（ MVD） were observed by immunohistochemistry.Results Compared with that of the model group

the ulcer area of TJXS group

mupirocin group

RJS group significantly reduced

and that in TJXS group was the smallest（ P < 0. 05）. Compared with those in the control group

the expressions of HIF-1α

VEGF protein and MVD in the model group significantly increased（ P < 0. 05）. The expressions of HIF-1α

VEGF protein and MVD in the dorsalis pedis artery in TJXS group

mupirocin group and RJS group were significantly higher than those in the model group（ P < 0. 05）

and those in TJXS group were significantly higher than those in mupirocin group and RJS group（ P < 0. 05）. Conclusion TJXS could increase the expressions of HIF-1α

VEGF protein and MVD in the dorsalis pedis artery

which may be one of the mechanisms in its treatment for diabetic foot.