Effect of ethnomedicinal extracts used for wound healing on cellular migration and intracellular reactive oxygen species release in SC-1 fibroblasts

The inhibition of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the migration of fibroblasts are key processes involved in wound healing. In this study, the ability of aqueous ethnomedicinal plant extracts prepared from Aspilia africana CD Adams, Boerhavia diffusa L. and Erythrina senegalensis DC. to mediate fibroblast migration and ROS release was determined. Phytochemical composition was assessed using thin-layer chromatography (TLC), whereas phytochemical markers were detected using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to time of flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-TOF-MS). Sulforhodamine B staining and morphological examination via microscopy was conducted to determine cytotoxic effects on SC-1 fibroblasts. The effect on AAPH-induced oxidative stress was assessed by measuring ROS release using dichlorofluorescein diacetate activation. The scratch wound assay was used to estimate the rate of cellular migration. Alkaloids, flavonoids and phenols were detected in all three extracts using TLC, whilst UPLC-TOF-MS revealed the presence of neobavaisoflavone in E. senegalensis. None of the extracts was cytotoxic to the SC-1 cells at the highest in-well concentration tested (100 μg/mL). E. senegalensis extract reduced intracellular ROS and cellular migration by 35% and 32.5%, respectively. Although these plant extracts have the potential to minimise oxidation, they do not facilitate fibroblast migration. Further investigation into their mechanism of wound healing is required.