【Abstract】 Objective To observe the effects of Angelica dahurica extracts on the biological characteristics of human keratinocytes (KC) in vitro and to explore the possible mechanism in promoting wound healing. Methods HaCaT cells of passage 5 from KC were used during the experiment. Different concentrations (5 × 10-2, 5 × 10-3, 5 × 10-4, and 5 × 10-5 g/L) of Angelica dahurica extracts, which was obtained by 95% ethanol from Angelica dahurica raw material, were prepared by DMEM containing 0.25% fetal bovine serum (FBS). After the extracts at different concentrations were respectively used for KC culture for 5 days, the cell proliferation activities were detected by MTT, and DMEM containing 0.25% FBS served as the negative control. According to the cell proliferation activity, the optimal concentration was determined. KC was further treated with Angelica dahurica extracts of the optimal concentration (experimental group) or with DMEM containing 0.25% FBS (control group) for 48 hours. The cell cycle was tested by flow cytometry. Cyclin D1 and Caspase-3 mRNA levels were also detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR technique. Results Angelica dahurica extracts at concentrations of 5 × 10-4, 5 × 10-3,and 5 × 10-2 g/L could significantly enhance KC proliferation, showing significant differences in absorbance (A) values compared with that of control group (P lt; 0.05) with an optimal concentration of 5 × 10-3 g/L. At this concentration, an increased percentage of S and G2/M phase cells and a decreased percentage of G0/G1 phase cells were detected, showing significant differences when compared with control group (P lt; 0.05). Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR revealed that the cyclin D1 and Caspase-3 mRNA levels of experimental group was significantly down-regulated, showing significant differences when compared with control group (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion Angelica dahurica extracts can promote the proliferation of KC, accelerate the cell cycle of KC by down-regulating mRNA expressions of cyclin D1, and inhibit apoptosis by down-regulating mRNA expressions of Caspase-3. These effects might enhance the process of wound healing by expediting the process of epithelization.