Cytotoxic Triterpenes from Streptocaulon griffithii

Determination of Two Wound Healing Components in Streptocaulon juventas (Lour.) Merr.: Periplogenin and Digitoxigenin

Streptocaulon juventas (Lour.) Merr. (SJ) is a herbal medicine can promote wound healing. Cardiac glycosides, especially periplogenin, digitoxigenin, and their glycosides were the main constituents of SJ. We aim to establish a method for the simultaneous determination of periplogenin and digitoxigenin in SJ and evaluate the wound healing activities of these two components. UPLC-QqQ-MS/MS was used for the determination of periplogenin and digitoxigenin. Meanwhile, rats were subjected to full-thickness skin resection on the back to investigate the wound healing effects of periplogenin and digitoxigenin. The content of periplogenin and digitoxigenin in 13 batches of SJ extracts ranged from 43.26 to 97.15 μg/g and 18.04 to 55.55 μg/g, respectively. Periplogenin and digitoxigenin significantly increased the rate of wound healing in rats, increased the content of hydroxyproline in wound tissue, and improved the pathological state of wound skin tissue.

Deciphering the underlying wound healing mechanisms of Streptocaulon juventas (Lour.) Merr. by integrating network pharmacology, transcriptomics, and experimental validation

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Streptocaulon juventas (Lour.) Merr. (SJ), a traditional Chinese folk medicine, has been widely used for the treatment of dysentery and traumatic injuries since ancient times. However, the mechanisms underlying its wound healing activity remain unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The aim of this study was to evaluate the wound healing activity of SJ and clarify the underlying molecular mechanisms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The wound healing activity of an ethanol extract of SJ (ESJ) was confirmed in rat full-thickness wound models. UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS was used to analyze the composition of ESJ. Potential molecular targets and signaling pathways involved in the wound healing activity of ESJ were predicted using network pharmacology and transcriptomic analyses. In addition, the L929 cells were used to evaluate the in vitro wound healing activity of ESJ and to verify the predicted pathways.

RESULTS

In rat wound models, ESJ significantly accelerated wound healing and promoted hydroxyproline production in wounds. Network pharmacology and transcriptomic analyses results revealed that ESJ might promote wound healing by activating the AKT and MAPK pathways. In L929 cells, ESJ significantly promoted cell proliferation, migration, and expression of collagen I and α-SMA. Additionally, ESJ treatment increased the phosphorylation of AKT, mTOR, ERK, and p38 in a time- and dose-dependent manner.

CONCLUSIONS

ESJ significantly promoted wound healing in vivo and in vitro. AKT-mTOR and ERK-p38 signaling pathways were involved in the wound healing activity of ESJ.