Stimulation of cellular proliferation is central mechanism within the complex physiology
of wound healing. This study aimed to investigate the influence of extracts (EtOH
95%) from the aerial parts from Eclipta prostrata Linn. (Asteraceae) and of an aqueous
extract from Litsea glutinosa C.B.Robinson (Lauraceae) leaves on the proliferation
of primary human dermal fibroblasts and immortalized human keratinocyte cell line
(HaCaT). Both plants are extensively used within Thai traditional medicine for wound
healing.
Results indicated that extracts from E. prostrata (50µg/mL) stimulated fibroblast
cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner to 196% (p<0.01). Also keratinocyte
proliferation was stimulated at 1µg/mL to 139% (p<0.01).
L. glutinosa leaves are rich of polysaccharide. Fractionation of an aqueous extract
yielded the high molecular raw polysaccharides (RPS) and the low molecular weight
fractions (LMW). RPS was fractionated on DEAE-Sephacel ion exchange stationary phase.
The neutral fraction exhibited 153% proliferation (p<0.01) in HaCaT cell at concentration
of 100µg/mL but showed no significantly effects against dermal fibroblasts. The LMW
fraction stimulated fibroblast proliferation to 256% (p<0.01) at concentration of
10µg/mL, and increased HaCaT proliferation to 163% (p<0.01) at concentration of 50µg/mL.
The L. glutinosa LMW fraction with highly stimulation effect is interesting for further
studies. The increasing of cells proliferation of both plants extracts was along with
their traditional uses for wound healing.
