Clinacanthus nutans (Burm.f.) Lindau has long been used locally for burns, insect bites, rashes, herpes simplex and herpes zoster wounds and varicella zoster infections in Thailand. The aims of this study were to examine the effects of Clinacanthus nutans (Burm.f.) Lindau. on both cell migration and proliferation of human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs).
Methods:
Human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs)(ScienCell Research Laboratories) were used in this study. Cells were cultured in DMEM containing 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) at 37°C under 5% CO2, 100% humidified atmosphere. The cytotoxic potential of this plant with HGFs was assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The noncytotoxic dose was chosen to evaluate cell migration and cell proliferation effect. To study cell proliferation effect, cells treated with various concentrations of this plant extract for 24,72,120 and 168 hours and cell viability was determined by MTT assay. To determine wound healing effect, the number of cells repopulated into the wounded areas in monolayer culture was counted.
Results:
It was found that the extracts at 1.25%, 0.625%, 0.3125% and 0.15625% concentration gave no toxicity to HGFs. The low concentrations of this plant extract
(0.3125% and 0.15625%) could promote HGFs cells proliferation. Additionally, the concentration of 0.3125% showed the highest potential in enhancing cell migration into the wounded area (141.36%).
Conclusions:
A low concentration of Clinacanthus nutans (Burm.f.) Lindau. can promote cell proliferation and cell migration of human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) and may be useful for treating wounds in the oral cavity.