Investigations on the wound healing properties of Onosma dichroantha Boiss root extracts

Abstract

Onosma dichroantha Boiss. (Boraginaceae), has been used in traditional medicine in Iran as anti-inflammatory for healing wounds and burns. This study aimed to investigate the wound healing potential of different extracts of roots of Onosma dichroantha. The roots were extracted successively with cyclohexane (CE), ethyl acetate (EtOAc), and methanol (MeOH). The extracts were tested for anti-inflammatory assay, and fibroblast proliferation. The most potent extract, CE, was further subjected to migration assay and angiogenic assay. Furthermore, LC–MS/MS analysis was used for identification of bioactive compounds present in CE extract. CE extract at 62.5 and 1000 μg/mL was the most effective in inhibiting LPS-induced inflammation assay and promoting Hs27 fibroblast proliferation, respectively. About 92% closing of the wound was observed after 24 h treatment of HMEC-1 cells with CE extract at concentration of 125 μg/mL in scratch test. Angiogenic effect of CE extract at the concentration of 0.5 μg/mL was also confirmed in vivo in transgenic zebrafish embryos by increasing the sprout number. LC–MS/MS studies revealed that compounds shikonin, β,β-dimethylacrylalkannin and β,β-dimethylacrylshikonin (arnebin-1) were present in the crude CE extract. These results provided scientific evidences to support the traditional use of O. dichroantha roots in treating wounds and ulcers.