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Torch ginger, Etlingera elatior , is a Zingiberaceae plant with various red, pink, and white inflorescence. The wound healing potential and anti-aging effects of freeze-dried torch ginger inflorescence extracts (FTIEs) from three varieties were compared. The red FTIE had the highest content of phenolic, flavonoid, caffeoylquinic acid, and chlorogenic acid, followed by the white and pink FTIE. Consistent with the chemical constituents, the red FTIE demonstrated the greatest capacities for free radical scavenging, anti-tyrosinase, and anti-collagenase activity, followed by the white and pink FTIE. In cell-based studies, FTIEs displayed cytotoxicity to B16F10 melanoma cells, with the red FTIE showing the greatest activity (LC 50 of 115.5 μg/mL). In contrast, the pink and the white FTIEs had less cytotoxicity impact. Nonetheless, at 1000 μg/mL, all three FTIE variants were safe on L929 fibroblasts or RAW 264.7 monocyte cells. White FTIE (500 μg/mL) exhibited the highest activity in stimulating collagen production and the greatest impact on cell migration, whereas the pink and red FTIE had a lesser effect. All FTIEs slightly suppressed the pro-inflammatory cytokines produced by lipopolysaccharide-stimulated monocytes, with no significant variation between FTIE variants. In conclusion, all FTIEs revealed promising potential for anti-aging cosmeceuticals and wound care products at specific concentrations.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: The rhizomes of Boesenbergia longiflora (Wall.) Kuntze (Zingiberaceae) have been traditionally used for treatment of inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, aphthous ulcer and abscess by decoction with alcohol., Aim of the Study: The rhizomes of Boesenbergia longiflora were carried out to investigate for anti-inflammatory and wound healing activities in order to support the traditional use., Material and Methods: The ethanolic extract of Boesenbergia longiflora and its fractions were tested using relevant in vitro anti-inflammatory and wound healing assays. For the in vitro studies, murine macrophage RAW264.7 cells and mouse fibroblast L929 cells were assessed for anti-inflammatory and fibroblast stimulatory activities, respectively. In vivo anti-inflammatory activity was determined by carrageenan-induced rat paw edema model as well as acute toxicity estimated by the up-and-down method in mice., Results: The present study has demonstrated that the ethanolic extract of Boesenbergia longiflora rhizomes possesses a potent anti-inflammatory and wound healing activities. Among the isolated fractions, the CHCl3 fraction showed potent anti-inflammatory effect through nitric oxide inhibitory activity (IC50=5.5 μg/ml) and reduction of carrageenan-induced rat paw edema (ED50=222.7 mg/kg), whereas this fraction exhibited wound healing property via fibroblast migration on both day 1 (77.3%) and day 2 (100%) as well as enhanced collagen production (187.5 μg/ml) at concentration of 3 μg/ml, compared to that of the controls, 39.4% for fibroblast and 60.8 μg/ml for collagen, respectively. The anti-inflammatory mechanism of the CHCl3 fraction is found to suppress the iNOS and COX-2 mRNA expression., Conclusion: The scientific investigation of wound healing activity of Boesenbergia longiflora rhizomes support the Thai traditional uses for treatment of inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, aphthous ulcer and abscess. The EtOH extract and CHCl3 fraction exert potential wound healing property through NO inhibition, anti-oxidant effect and stimulation of fibroblast migration and collagen production. The phytochemical screening revealed that the CHCl3 fraction of Boesenbergia longiflora rhizomes contains diarylheptanoids, flavonoids and terpenes. The isolation of the compounds responsible for the wound healing effect is now in progress., (© 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Wedelia trilobata (L.) Hitchc (Asteraceae) leaves are used in the treatment of wounds by traditional healers. Despite the use of this plant in wound healing, there is a scarcity of scientific data to support its therapeutic application., Aim of the Study: To investigate the wound healing potential of Wedelia trilobata (L.) leaves commonly employed by traditional healers and to clarify its traditional use in a scientific investigation., Materials and Methods: An ethanolic extract of Wedelia trilobata leaves was subjected to column chromatography. Hexane, ethyl acetate (WEA) and chloroform:methanol (50:50) (WCM) fractions were obtained. The fractions were tested using relevant in vitro wound healing assays. Antioxidant activity was measured by the DPPH assay. The fibroblast proliferation, oxidative stress using hydrogen peroxide, an in vitro scratch assay, and increasing collagen content was determined using fibroblast L929. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa., Results: WEA (3 μg/mL) promoted fibroblast L929 survivability up to more than 90% before and more than 85% after hydrogen peroxide induced oxidative stress. WEA (3 μg/mL) induced a 70% migration rate in the in vitro scratch assay and the collagen content was increased to 261 μg/mL compared to the control (57.5 μg/mL). WCM exhibited a scavenging activity for DPPH with an IC(50) value of 179.5 μg/mL comparable to BHT (139.3 μg/mL). WEA was active against gram positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis with MIC values of 62.5 and 31.25 μg/mL, respectively., Conclusion: These scientific findings of wound healing activity supports the traditional claims for Wedelia trilobata (L.) leaves. The WEA displayed antibacterial and fibroblast stimulatory activities while WCM exhibited antioxidant to indicate its potential wound healing properties. However further studies to isolate the antibacterial, antioxidant and fibroblast stimulatory compounds that contribute to the wound healing properties of this plant are needed., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)