Effect of asiaticoside for wound repair and fabrication of 3D biodegradable polymer mesh containing asiaticoside

Abstract

Wound healing proceeds through a complex collaborative process involving many types of cells. Keratinocytes and fibroblasts of epidermal and dermal layers of the skin play prominent roles in this process. Asiaticoside, an active component of Centella asiatica, is known for its beneficial effects on keloid and hypertrophic scar. However, the effects of this compound on normal human skin cells are not yet firmly established. Using in vitro systems, we observed the effects of asiaticoside on normal human skin cell behaviors related to healing. In a wound closure seeding model, asiaticoside increased migration rates of skin cells. By observing the numbers of cells attached and the area occupied by the cells, we concluded that asiaticoside also enhanced the initial skin cell adhesion. In cell proliferation assays, asiaticoside induced an increase in the number of normal human dermal fibroblasts.In the treatment of extensive full thickness burns, dermal replacements substitute the injured tissue. Polymer scaffolds with easy fabrication and reasonable price are widely used for the dermal replacements. For the fabrication of poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) mesh having porous 3D structure, the electrospinning method was carried out. The results indicated that the fabrication of scaffolds having sufficient thickness to replace a damaged tissue was possible by using low temperature electrospinning method. Asiaticoside was applied to the polymer scaffolds to increase biocompatibility of the scaffolds and to help tissue regeneration. Finally, the effects of 3D PLGA mesh containing asiaticoside on human dermal fibroblasts were evaluated as the possible use for dermal replacement and it showed enhanced cell adhesion and proliferation rate compared with a control.In conclusion, asiaticoside promotes skin cell behaviors involved in wound healing; and as a bioactive component of an artificial skin, may have therapeutic value.