Isolation and characterization of wound healing compounds from Combretum smeathmanii G. Don

Combretum smeathmanii G. Don (Combretaceae) is a scandent shrub widely used by traditional healers in Ghana and is indicated for the treatment of wounds and boils [1]. The aim of this project is to investigate skin activity of this plant under in vitro conditions on skin cells. Additionally phytochemical characterization and functional testing of secondary metabolites on skin cell lines was to be done. From an ethanol-water (1:1) extract of the leaves, an EtOAc soluble fraction was fractionated on Sephadex-LH20 and prep. HPLC, leading to the isolation of procyanidins as a major compound group. At present epicatechin, procyanidin B2 (epicatechin(4β→8)epicatechin), procyanidin B5 (epicatechin(4β→6)epicatechin), procyanidin C1 (epicatechin(4β→8)epicatechin(4β→8)epicatechin), procyanidin D1 (epicatechin(4β→8)epicatechin(4β→8)epicatechin) and hitherto unidentified oligomeric procyanidins have been isolated. All structures were elucidated by means of ESI-MS and spectroscopic analyses (CD spectra, 1D- and 2D-NMR). Functional studies of extract (at 1 and 10 µg/mL) and isolated compounds from this plant on HaCaT keratinocytes showed significant induction of cellular proliferation in the BrdU incorporation ELISA. These results could justify the use of this plant for wound healing amongs these traditional healers in Ghana.

Reference:

[1] C. Agyare, A. Asase, M. Lechtenberg, M. Niehues, A. Deters, A. Hensel (2009). An ethnopharmacological survey and in vitro confirmation of ethnopharmacological use of medicinal plants used for wound healing in Bosomtwi-Atwima-Kwanwoma area, Ghana. J. Ethnopharmacol. 125, 393 – 403.