In vitro effect of Mikania cordata leaf extracts on wound healing

Mikania cordata is a resource-rich plant which is used in traditional medicinal practices to treat eye sores, snake and scorpion bites, cough, a range of gastrointestinal disorders and topical applications for cuts, wounds and to stop bleeding. This study examined the in vitro wound healing activity of aqueous, acetone and methanolic extracts of M. cordata leaves. Human macro-vascular endothelial cells (EC) were exposed to the three extracts at 3.9–500 µg/mL to determine their non-toxic concentrations and in vitro wound healing ability was assessed using scratch assay. The nitrite levels produced by scratched ECs were assessed by Griess assay and the gene expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) at 48 h was assessed using the conventional PCR by quantifying the intensity of gel band. All concentrations of the three extracts of M. cordata tested were non-toxic to EC. Methanolic extract and positive control Allantoin showed the highest in vitro wound healing activity of 75% and 82% compared to that by aqueous (66%) and acetone (56%) extracts (p < 0.001). EC treated with 125 µg/ml of methanolic extract showed a significant increase in nitrite level when compared to that of Allantoin ( p < 0.001). A similar expression of VEGF (0.44) was observed in EC treated with methanolic extract of M. cordata when compared to that of the EC treated with Allantoin (0.42). M. cordata leaves are potent in wound healing, with methanolic extract showing the highest activity. These findings demand further studies to investigate the active compounds present in M. cordata which specifically contribute to wound healing and the mechanisms induced to promote wound healing.