Enhanced Cutaneous Wound Healing by the Leaf Extract of Achillea eriophora D.C. Using the In Vitro Scratch Assay

Achillea eriophora D.C. (Asteraceae), an endemic species in Iran, is used extensively in Iranian folk medicine to treat various ailments, including gastrointestinal disorders, skin inflammations and wound healing. The present study was aimed to investigate the effects of the methanolic extract of  A. eriophora leaves on the stimulation of human fibroblast cell proliferation and migration as two pivotal stages in wound healing process. Methanolic extract was prepared by maceration method. Total phenol and flavonoid contents were measured using spectrophotometry. Cytotoxic and proliferation effects of the extract were evaluated by MTT assay on human fibroblast cells. Moreover, migration of the treated cells was assessed by the closure of a denuded area, made by scratching on the confluent monolayer cultures.  The results of cytotoxicity assay indicated that the methanolic extract did not have any cytotoxic effect on fibroblast cells when used at concentrations up to 2 µg/mL. Human fibroblast proliferation was stimulated by low concentrations of the extract (0.1-0.8 µg/mL), and the highest level of proliferation was observed in the lowest treatment (0.1 µg/mL). Migration of the cells was induced by intermediate concentrations (1-30 µg/mL) of the extract and the most effective dose was estimated at 1 µg/mL. Due to the fact that lower concentration of the extract, which showed the best proliferation and migration stimulatory effects, were not toxic on the human fibroblast cells, the crude methanolic extract from the leaves of Achillea eriophora could be recommended as a potential source for improving the wound healing activity in skin.