Efficacy of Aeschynomene indica L. leaves for wound healing and isolation of active constituent

Zhi-Yong Lei; Jing-Jing Chen; Zhi-Jian Cao; Ming-Zhang Ao; Long-Jiang Yu

doi:10.1016/j.jep.2018.08.008

Efficacy of Aeschynomene indica L. leaves for wound healing and isolation of active constituent

J Ethnopharmacol. 2019 Jan 10:228:156-163. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2018.08.008. Epub 2018 Aug 11.

Authors

Zhi-Yong Lei¹, Jing-Jing Chen¹, Zhi-Jian Cao², Ming-Zhang Ao³, Long-Jiang Yu⁴

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Resource Biology and Biotechnology, Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China.
² Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology and Center for Human Genome Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China.
³ Institute of Resource Biology and Biotechnology, Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China. Electronic address: aomingzhang@hust.edu.cn.
⁴ Institute of Resource Biology and Biotechnology, Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China. Electronic address: yulongjiang@hust.edu.cn.

PMID: 30107245
DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2018.08.008

Abstract

Ethnopharmacological relevance: In traditional Chinese medicine, the aerial parts of Aeschynomene indica L. (AIL) have been used for wound healing, and to treat urinary tract infection, hepatitis, enteritis, dysentery, nyctalopia, conjunctivitis, urticaria, and furuncle. However, no scientific investigation has been conducted on its wound healing potential.

Aim of the study: To investigate the effects of AIL extract on wound healing, isolate the active constituent and reveal the possible mechanism of enhancing wound healing.

Materials and methods: The circular excision wound healing model was used to evaluate in vivo wound-healing activity. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was applied to assess inflammatory cells infiltration, angiogenesis, fibroblast proliferation, collagen synthesis, collagen remodeling, and skin appendages generation. Sirius red-picric acid staining was employed for quantitative analysis of the ratio of collagen I/III. Immunohistochemical staining for CD68, CCR7 (CD197), CD163, TGF-β1 and α-SMA was performed to determine macrophages phenotypes transition (M1-to-M2) and prove the scar-improving effect of AIL on wound healing.

Results: We successfully isolated the active constituent (Sub-Fr0.2) for wound healing from AIL extract, circular excision wound healing experiment and hematoxylin & eosin staining showed Sub-Fr0.2 has a significant promoting effect on wound healing. Results of sirius red-picric acid staining demonstrated a reduced ratio of collagen I/III in the Sub-Fr0.2 group as compared with the vehicle group. Immunohistochemical staining for CD68, CCR7 (CD197), and CD163 in the Sub-Fr0.2 group exhibited an elevated speed of macrophages transiting from M1 phenotype to M2 phenotype, when compared with the vehicle group. Besides, the expression of TGF-β1 and α-SMA were inhibited on wounds treated with the ointment containing Sub-Fr0.2.

Conclusion: Leaves of AIL and its active constituent (Sub-Fr0.2) effectively promoted wound healing and reduced scar formation, this efficacy might be exerted by accelerating macrophages phenotypes transition and inhibiting TGF-β1 and α-SMA expression.

Keywords: Aeschynomene indica L; Excision wound; Medicinal plants; Wound healing.

MeSH terms

Animals
Dalbergia*
Macrophages / drug effects
Male
Phytotherapy
Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
Plant Leaves
Rats, Wistar
Skin / drug effects
Skin / pathology
Wound Healing / drug effects*

Substances

Plant Extracts