Effect of Clinacanthus nutans Leaf Extract on the Production of TGF-β1 and bFGF in Human Dermal Fibroblasts.

A chloroform extract of the leaves of Clinacanthus nutans, a medicinal plant, contains purpurin-18 phytyl ester that has the ability to induce fibroblast migration. However, no scientific investigation has been conducted on its effect on the production of proteins related to wound healing. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a C. nutans extract on the production of two important growth factors, TGF-ß1 and bFGF, by dermal fibroblasts. Methods: A chloroform extract of C. nutans was fractionated using a vacuum column chromatography method. Fractions containing a spot with an Rf value of 0.58 (the retention time of authentic purpurin-18 phytyl ester) on TLC plates were used in biological assays. Dermal fibroblasts were exposed to various concentrations of the chloroform extract and fractions from C. nutans for 12 or 24 h, and TGF-ß1 and bFGF expression at the protein level was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). At 12 and 24 h, the TGF-ß1 and bFGF protein levels were significantly increased by exposure to the chloroform extract and fractions 5B and 5C compared to the negative control. Chloroform extracts and fractions of C. nutans that contained purpurin 18-phytyl ester increased the protein synthesis of TGF-b1 and bFGF by dermal fibroblasts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]