In Vitro Evaluation of Wound Healing Property of Hemigraphis Alternata (Burm. F) T. Anders Using Fibroblast and Endothelial Cells

Boby T. Edwin* and Prabha D. Nair

Department of Botany, Thangal Kunju Musliar College of Arts and Science, Karicodue, Kollam Division of Tissue Engineering and Regeneration Technologies, Biomedical Technology Wing, Satelmond Palace, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram India.

Corresponding Author E-mail: bobytedwin2003@gmail.com

ABSTRACT: Hemigraphis alternata (HA) have been traditionally identified in Indian medicine (Ayurveda) to promote the healing of soft tissue wounds and minor injuries. This study is to elucidate its role in wound healing through its effects on fibroblasts and endothelial cells. The effects of aqueous and ethanolic extract of HA (AEHA and EEHA) on proliferation and migration of fibroblast was assayed by MTT and scratch-wound healing assay. Expression of angiogenic markers like tyrosine kinase receptors (KDR, FLT 4), Platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule (CD31) and vascular endothelial cadherine (VE Cadherin) by endothelial cells when treated with HA were analysed by semiquantitative RT PCR. The study showed that AEHA at a concentration of 2.5mg/ml and 3.5mg/ml revealed an enhancement in proliferation in serum free and serum containing culture conditions respectively while EEHA was toxic to cells. Proliferation of AEHA was associated with a 60% protein fraction which revealed a band of 21.8 kD peptide. The AEHA at a concentration of 180g showed a wound re-epithelialization to 97% in a fibroblast scratch wound model. PCR assay revealed enhanced expression of angiogenic markers like KDR, FLT 4, CD31 and VE Cadherin. These results evaluated HA as a herb with potential implications in wound healing as it is seen to influence fibroblast and endothelial cells, the key players during wound healing.

KEYWORDS: Hemigraphis alternata; wound healing; VE Cadherin; scratch wound healing assay

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