The effects of artocarpin on wound healing: in vitro and in vivo studies

Sci Rep. 2017 Nov 15;7(1):15599. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-15876-7.

Abstract

The skin protects the body against harmful substances and microorganisms. When the skin is damaged, wound healing must be finely regulated to restore the normal function of skin tissue. Artocarpin (ARTO), a prenylated flavonoid purified from the plant Artocarpus communis, has been reported to have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the wound healing potential and therapeutic mechanism of ARTO. Immunohistochemical staining of neutrophils and macrophages and mouse cytokine array analysis demonstrated that ARTO accelerates inflammatory progression and subsequently decreases persistent inflammation. ARTO increases collagen production and increases human fibroblast proliferation and migration by activating the P38 and JNK pathways. Moreover, ARTO increases the proliferation and migration of human keratinocytes through the ERK and P38 pathways and augments human endothelial cell proliferation and tube formation through the Akt and P38 pathways. Together, our data suggested that ARTO enhances skin wound healing, possibly by accelerating the inflammatory phase and by increasing myofibroblast differentiation, proliferation and migration of fibroblasts and keratinocytes, collagen synthesis and maturation, re-epithelialization, and angiogenesis. These findings indicate that ARTO has potential as a potent therapeutic agent for the treatment of skin wounds.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Movement / drug effects
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Cytokines / drug effects
  • Fibroblasts / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Keratinocytes / drug effects*
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System / drug effects
  • Macrophages / drug effects
  • Mannose-Binding Lectins / administration & dosage*
  • Mice
  • Neutrophils / drug effects
  • Plant Lectins / administration & dosage*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / genetics
  • Skin / drug effects*
  • Skin / injuries
  • Skin / pathology
  • Wound Healing / drug effects*
  • Wound Healing / genetics
  • p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / drug effects
  • p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / genetics

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Mannose-Binding Lectins
  • Plant Lectins
  • artocarpin lectin
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt
  • p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases