The stimulatory effects of Stewartia koreana extract on the proliferation and migration of fibroblasts and the wound healing activity of the extract in mice

Characterization of Polyphenolic Compounds from Bacopa procumbens and Their Effects on Wound-Healing Process

Wounds represent a medical problem that contributes importantly to patient morbidity and to healthcare costs in several pathologies. In Hidalgo, Mexico, the Bacopa procumbens plant has been traditionally used for wound-healing care for several generations; in vitro and in vivo experiments were designed to evaluate the effects of bioactive compounds obtained from a B. procumbens aqueous fraction and to determine the key pathways involved in wound regeneration. Bioactive compounds were characterized by HPLC/QTOF-MS, and proliferation, migration, adhesion, and differentiation studies were conducted on NIH/3T3 fibroblasts. Polyphenolic compounds from Bacopa procumbens (PB) regulated proliferation and cell adhesion; enhanced migration, reducing the artificial scratch area; and modulated cell differentiation. PB compounds were included in a hydrogel for topical administration in a rat excision wound model. Histological, histochemical, and mechanical analyses showed that PB treatment accelerates wound closure in at least 48 h and reduces inflammation, increasing cell proliferation and deposition and organization of collagen at earlier times. These changes resulted in the formation of a scar with better tensile properties. Immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR molecular analyses demonstrated that treatment induces (i) overexpression of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) and (ii) the phosphorylation of Smad2/3 and ERK1/2, suggesting the central role of some PB compounds to enhance wound healing, modulating TGF-β activation.

Mealworm Oil (MWO) Enhances Wound Healing Potential through the Activation of Fibroblast and Endothelial Cells

Mealworm and mealworm oil (MWO) have been reported to affect antioxidant, anti-coagulation, anti-adipogenic and anti-inflammatory activities. However, the function of MWO in wound healing is still unclear. In this study, we found that MWO induced the migration of fibroblast cells and mRNA expressions of wound healing factors such as alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), collagen-1 (COL-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in fibroblast cells. The tube formation and migration of endothelial cells were promoted through the activation of VEGF/VEGF receptor-2 (VEGFR-2)-mediated downstream signals including AKT, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and p38 by MWO-stimulated fibroblasts for angiogenesis. Moreover, we confirmed that MWO promoted skin wound repair by collagen synthesis, re-epithelialization and angiogenesis in an in vivo excisional wound model. These results demonstrate that MWO might have potential as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of skin wounds.

NED416, a novel synthetic Sirt1 activator, promotes cutaneous wound healing via the MAPK/Rho pathway

Cutaneous wound healing is a highly complex biological process involving major events such as cell migration, angiogenesis, and tissue development. Sirtuin 1 (Sirt1) and its regulators have been suggested to play a role in cell migration and tissue repair. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of a novel Sirt1 activator, the piper amide derivative (E)-3-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-N-phenylacrylamide, also known as NED416, on cutaneous wound healing. The effects of NED416 on Sirt1 activity, Sirt1 expression, and angiogenesis were measured in skin and endothelial cells (epidermal keratinocytes, dermal fibroblasts and vascular endothelial cells) using a Sirt1 activity assay kit, western blot analysis and tube formation assays, respectively. The effects of NED416 on the rate of wound closure and collagen deposition were measured via H&E staining and Masson's trichrome staining, respectively. Levels of migration-related [Rac1, cell division cycle 42 (Cdc42) and α-p21-activated kinase] and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway proteins were measured in hairless mice via western blot analysis. NED416 significantly increased Sirt1 activity in dermal fibroblasts and epidermal keratinocytes to a greater extent than resveratrol, leading to increased cell migration and angiogenesis through Rac1/Cdc42 and ERK/JNK activation. Furthermore, NED416 accelerated wound closure, macrophage infiltration, and epithelium and collagen formation in vivo. The present study demonstrated a role of Sirt1 in cutaneous wound healing, and suggested that NED416 as a Sirt1 activator is more potent than resveratrol in promoting wound healing through Rac1/Cdc42 and MAPK signaling without toxicity, thus serving as a promising candidate for treatment.

Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Anthocyanins Extracted from Oryza sativa L. in Primary Dermal Fibroblasts

Flavonoids are naturally active substances that form a large class of phenolic compounds abundant in certain foods. Black rice (Oryza sativa L.) contains high levels of anthocyanin polyphenols, which have beneficial effects on health owing to their antioxidant properties. The breakdown of collagenous networks with aging or skin deterioration results in the impairment of wound healing in the skin. Accordingly, reviving stagnant collagen synthesis can help maintain dermal homeostasis during wound healing. This study presents an assessment of the cellular activity of anthocyanins (ANT) extracted from Oryza sativa L., providing information necessary for the development of new products that support natural healing processes. The relative composition of ANT from Oryza sativa L. was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography/diode array detection. ANT promoted the migration of rat dermal fibroblasts (RDFs) and demonstrated antioxidant properties. ANT increased the mRNA expression of collagen type I alpha 2 (COL1A2) and upregulated type I collagen protein levels in H₂O₂-stimulated RDFs without cytotoxicity. Compared with the untreated group, treatment of RDFs with ANT in the presence of H₂O₂ led to the activation of signaling pathways, including the extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) and Akt, whereas it significantly (p < 0.001) inhibited the phosphorylation of IκBα and suppressed the activation of the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) subunits, p50 and p65, which are transcription factors responsible for inflammation. Taken together, our findings suggest that ANT from Oryza sativa L. have anti-inflammatory properties and antiaging potential by modulating type I collagen gene expression and suppressing H₂O₂-induced NF-κB activation in skin fibroblasts.

Effect of cupuassu butter on human skin cells

This study investigated the effect of cupuassu butter on the cell number of human skin fibroblasts, as well as the gene expression profiles of certain growth factors in these fibroblasts. Cupuassu butter is a triglyceride composed of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids extracted from the fruit of Theobroma grandiflorum. The dataset includes expression profiles for genes encoding basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), stem cell factor (SCF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), fibroblast growth factor-7 (FGF7), and epidermal growth factor (EGF). Cell viability profile is presented as a line graph, and the expression profiles are shown as bar graphs. Furthermore, this article also describes the effects of cupuassu butter on wound healing in vitro. The wound healing effects are shown as a bar graph accompanied with representative microscopic images.

Effect of traditional plants in Sri Lanka on skin fibroblast cell number

This article describes the effects of extracts of several plants collected in Sri Lanka on the cell number of human skin fibroblasts. This study especially focuses on the plants traditionally used in indigenous systems of medicine in Sri Lanka, such as Ayurveda, as described below (English name, "local name in Sri Lanka," scientific name). Bougainvillea plant, "bouganvilla," Bougainvillea grabla (Nature׳s Beauty Creations Ltd., 2014) [1], purple fruited pea eggplant,"welthibbatu," Solanum trilobatum (Nature׳s Beauty Creations Ltd., 2014) [2], country borage plant, "kapparawalliya," Plectranthus amboinicus (Nature׳s Beauty Creations Ltd., 2014) [3], malabar nut plant, "adhatoda," Justicia adhatoda (Nature׳s Beauty Creations Ltd., 2014) [4], long pepper plant,"thippili," Piper longum (Nature׳s Beauty Creations Ltd., 2014) [5], holy basil plant, "maduruthala," Ocimum tenuiflorum (Nature׳s Beauty Creations Ltd., 2014) [6], air plant, "akkapana," Kalanchoe pinnata (Nature׳s Beauty Creations Ltd., 2014) [7], plumed cockscomb plant, "kiri-henda," Celosia argentea (Nature׳s Beauty Creations Ltd., 2014) [8], neem plant,"kohomba," Azadirachta indica (Nature׳s Beauty Creations Ltd., 2014) [9], emblic myrobalan plant, "nelli," Phyllanthus emblica (Nature׳s Beauty Creations Ltd., 2014) [10]. Human skin fibroblast cells were treated with various concentration of plant extracts (0-3.0%), and the cell viability of cells were detected using calcein assay. The cell viabillity profiles are provided as line graphs.

Regulation function of MMP-1 downregulated by siRNA on migration of heat-denatured dermal fibroblasts

Cutaneous wound healing is a complex physiological process that requires the efforts of various cell types and signaling pathways and often results in thickened collagen-enriched healed tissue called a scar. Therefore, the identification of the mechanism of cutaneous wound healing is necessary and has great value in providing better treatment. Here, we demonstrated that MMP-1 inhibition could promote cell proliferation in dermal fibroblasts via the MTT assay. Meanwhile, we investigated cell migration by flow cytometry and tested type I collagenase activity. We found that MMP-1 inhibition promoted cell proliferation and inhibited cell migration and type I collagenase activity. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that MMP-1 might be a potential therapeutic target in cutaneous wound healing.

Stem Cell Secretome and Its Effect on Cellular Mechanisms Relevant to Wound Healing

Stem cells introduced to site of injury primarily act via indirect paracrine effects rather than direct cell replacement of damaged cells. This gives rise to understanding the stem cell secretome. In this study, in vitro studies demonstrate that the secretome activates the PI3K/Akt or FAK/ERK1/2 signaling cascades and subsequently enhances the proliferative and migratory abilities of various types of skin cells, such as fibroblasts, keratinocytes, and vascular epithelial cells, ultimately accelerating wound contraction. Indeed, inhibition of these signaling pathways with synthetic inhibitors resulted in the disruption of secretome-induced beneficial effects on various skin cells. In addition, major components of the stem cell secretome (EGF, basic FGF, and HGF) may be responsible for the acceleration of wound contraction. Stimulatory effects of these three prominent factors on wound contraction are achieved through the upregulation of PI3K/Akt or FAK/ERK1/2 activity. Overall, we lay the rationale for using the stem cell secretome in promoting wound contraction. In vivo wound healing studies are warranted to test the significance of our in vitro findings.

Compounds isolated from Eriobotrya deflexa leaves protect against ultraviolet radiation B-induced photoaging in human fibroblasts

Ultraviolet (UV) irradiation leads to skin photoaging because of the upregulation of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 and downregulation of type I collagen and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1. Eriobotrya deflexa (Hemsl.) Nakai (Rosaceae) is a flowering plant endemic to Taiwan, and its leaves have been used as an expectorant and in antitussive folk remedy. Our previous studies have demonstrated that an E. deflexa leaf extract functions as a free radical scavenger. The current evaluated the antiphotoaging effect of partitioned fractions and specific compounds from the leaves of E. deflexa by using bioguided isolation, compound identification, and biological activity testing with UVB-irradiated human fibroblasts (WS-1 cells). E. deflexa leaves were extracted with 95% ethanol and then partitioned using a sequential treatment of n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and n-butanol (n-BuOH). The bioactive n-BuOH fraction was used for isolation and purification through chromatography. The compounds were identified by analyzing their physical and spectroscopic properties. We identified eight compounds from this fraction; of these compounds, 3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1‴→6″)-β-d-galactopyranoside (1), hyperin (2), afzelin (5), and cryptochlorogenic acid methyl ester (7) were isolated from E. deflexa for the first time, and they exhibited MMP-1 inhibition activity. The IC₅₀ values were 96.5, 89.5, 93.4, and 92.8μM for 1, 2, 5, and 7, respectively. These compounds also enhanced the expression of procollagen type I, and TIMP-1 and hyperin (2) were found to be most effective with IC₅₀ values of 56.7 and 70.3μM, respectively. Hyperin (2) could reduce intracellular reactive oxygen species production in UVB-irradiated WS-1 cells, with the corresponding IC₅₀ value being 80.7μM. Liquid chromatography triple-quadrupole mass spectrometry was used for the quantitative and chemical fingerprint analysis of active compounds. Quercetin 3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1‴→6″)-β-d-galactopyranoside (1), hyperin (2), afzelin (5), and cryptochlorogenic acid methyl ester (7) constituted 24.2±3.9, 5.5±1.0, 3.4±0.3, and 67.1±8.1mg/g of dry weight in the active n-BuOH fraction, respectively. Our results demonstrate that the extract and the isolated active compounds from E. deflexa leaves possess the potential for protection against skin photoaging.

Juglone ameliorates skin wound healing by promoting skin cell migration through Rac1/Cdc42/PAK pathway

Skin cell regeneration and wound healing are key processes in the recovery from skin injuries. Rapid cell migration and regeneration of skin cells lead to faster and better healing of wounded skin. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the wound healing potential of juglone, a naturally occurring Pin1 inhibitor found in walnuts. Cultured skin cells (NHDF and HaCaT) and hairless mice were treated with juglone after wound creation to examine its effects on cell migration and wound healing rate. The expressions of cell migration related proteins (Rac1, Cdc42, and α-PAK), collagen deposition, and angiogenesis were analyzed. Juglone treatment resulted in faster rate of growth and migration and recovered cell morphology, particularly at a concentration of 5 µM, in skin cells compared to the untreated group. In vivo experiments showed that mice treated with juglone showed faster wound healing rate with better skin morphology and collagen deposition than the vehicle group. Furthermore, juglone increased the activation and/or expression of Cdc42, Rac1, and α-pak in HaCaT cells, and resulted in enhanced angiogenesis in endothelial cells (HUVECs). Juglone also activated MAPKs signaling by activation of ERK, JNK, and p38 proteins. Taken together, these data suggest that juglone may be a potential candidate for wound healing and skin regeneration which ameliorates wound healing mainly by promoting skin cell migration through Rac1/Cdc42/PAK pathway.

Camphor Induces Proliferative and Anti-senescence Activities in Human Primary Dermal Fibroblasts and Inhibits UV-Induced Wrinkle Formation in Mouse Skin

Camphor ((1R)-1,7,7-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-one), a bicyclic monoterpene, is one of the major constituents of essential oils from various herbs such as rosemary, lavender, and sage. In this study, we investigated the beneficial effects of camphor as a botanical ingredient in cosmetics. Camphor induced the proliferation of human primary dermal fibroblasts in a dose-dependent manner via the PI3K/AKT and ERK signaling pathways. Camphor attenuated the elevation of senescence associated with β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) activity. Elastase activity decreased, while the total amount of collagen increased, in a dose- and time-dependent manner in human primary dermal fibroblasts treated with camphor. Camphor induced the expression of collagen IA, collagen IIIA, collagen IVA, and elastin in human primary dermal fibroblasts. In addition, posttreatment with 26 and 52 mM camphor for 2 weeks led to a significant reduction in the expression of MMP1 but increases in the expression of collagen IA, IIIA, and elastin in mouse skin exposed to UV for 4 weeks. These posttreatments also reduced the depths of the epidermis and subcutaneous fat layer in UV-exposed mouse skin. Taken together, these findings suggest camphor to be a potent wound healing and antiwrinkle agent with considerable potential for use in cosmeceuticals.