Investigating the effect of the methanolic extract from the leaves of Achillea eriophora D. C. on human cutaneous wound healing in an in vitro cellular model

Achillea eriophora D. C. (Asteraceae), an endemic species of Iran, is used extensively in Iranian folk medicine to treat various ailments, including gastrointestinal disorders, skin inflammations and wound healing. Present study aimed on investigation of the effects of the methanolic extract from the leaves of A. eriophora on stimulation of fibroblast cell proliferation and migration as two pivotal stages in wound healing process. Methanolic extract was prepared by maceration method. It's total phenol and flavonoid contents were measured using spectrophotometry. Cytotoxic and proliferation effects of the extract were evaluated by MTT assay on human fibroblast cells (HFF3). Moreover, scratch assay was used for evaluation of cell migration. In this method, the closure of a denuded area, made by scratching on the confluent monolayer cultures, were measured by microscopy and software analysis.MTT results indicated that the methanolic extract did not have any cytotoxic effect on HFF3 cells when used at concentrations up to 2 μg/ml. Human fibroblast proliferation was stimulated by low concentrations (0.1-0.8 μg/ml) of the extract, and the most effective dose was estimated as 0.1 μg/ml. Migration of the cells was induced by intermediate concentrations (1-30 μg/ml) of the extract. The highest level of migration was observed in the lowest treatment (1 μg/ml). Due to the fact that lower concentration of the extract, which showed the best proliferation and migration stimulatory effects, were not toxic on HFF3 cells, we tend to recommend the crude methanolic extract from the leaves of Achillea eriophora as a potential source for improving the wound healing activity in skin.

Keywords:

Achillea eriophora , wound healing , flavonoids , proliferation , migration