Gene expression studies in primary human acute and chronic wound fibroblasts treated with most popular wound healing phytoextracts

• Published in: South African journal of botany Vol. 155; pp. 205 - 213
• Main Authors: Monika, Prakash, Chandraprabha, MN, Murthy, KN Chidambara
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.04.2023
• Subjects: Chronic wounds; Fibroblasts; Gene expression; Phytoextracts; Wound healing; Wound healing; FGF; DMSO; VEGF; Gene expression; bFGF; Chronic wounds; DMEM; α-SMA; MMP-2; TNF-α; FBS; Fibroblasts; TGF-β; AWFs; GAPDH; RT-qPCR; CWFs; Phytoextracts
• ISSN: 0254-6299; 1727-9321
• DOI: 10.1016/j.sajb.2023.01.018

•Phytoextracts namely, catechin, epicatechin, curcumin, garlic, pomegranate peel and neem had significant influence on AWFs and CWFs treated cells by up regulating wound healing promoting genes or down regulating wound healing resistance genes.•Epicatechin rich extract was found to be the best as it significantly (P<0.05) reduced the mRNA expression of TNF-α, TGF-β, MMP-2 and MMP-9.•Neem extract was found to be the best phytoextract in terms of its influence on the mRNA expression of FGF-1 and VEGF in both AWFs and CWFs.•Benefits from phytochemicals from food-based plants are huge as they can be utilized efficiently for clinical purpose against different types of chronic wounds due to their established safety, efficiency, biodegradability and cost effectiveness. Impact of chronic wounds in terms of quality of life and financial burden for patients is huge and it remains as a major clinical challenge throughout the world. In order to address chronic wounds effectively, it is at most important to understand wound biology at molecular level in clinically distinct wounds. Fibroblasts are the most common cells present in all types of wounds and are critical to regain the normal tissue homeostasis. Several plant-based extracts and compounds have shown significant wound healing activity in various experimental models. To identify the best phytoextract that regulate genes that can increase fibroblast proliferation, enhance angiogenesis, increase anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, decrease MMP degradation activity. mRNA expression of TNF-α, TGF-β, FGF-1, MMP-2, MMP-9 and VEGF in human primary Acute wound fibroblasts (AWFs) and Chronic wound fibroblasts (CWFs) treated with phytoextracts such as catechin, epicatechin, curcumin, garlic, pomegranate peel and neem. Gene expression analysis showed that, catechin, epicatechin, curcumin, garlic, pomegranate peel and neem had significant influence on AWFs and CWFs treated cells by up regulating wound healing promoting genes or down regulating wound healing resistance genes. Among six test phytoextracts, epicatechin was found to be the best as it significantly (P<0.05) reduced the mRNA expression of TNF-α, TGF-β, MMP-2 and MMP-9 and neem was found to be the best phytoextract in terms of its influence on the mRNA expression of FGF-1 and VEGF genes in both AWFs and CWFs. Epicatechin extract was found to be the best phytoextract, which significantly reduced the mRNA expression of wound healing resistance genes. On the other hand, treatment of neem extract significantly increased the mRNA expression of wound healing promoting genes in both AWFs and CWFs. Use of phytoextracts to target fibroblasts in wounds can be an economical, safe and efficient approach to treat non-healing chronic wounds.