Effects of Paeonia albiflora Root Extract on Epidermal Wound Healing

Abstract

Wound healing is a repair system which heals damaged tissue caused by external factors and is essential for maintaining biological homeostasis. Wound healing is impaired by aging. Topical agents and cosmetics have been used for the purpose of promoting wound healing. Herbal materials such as Aloe vera, Panax ginseng and Angelica acutiloba, which have been traditionally known to have beneficial effects on skin wound healing, are included in their formulations. In the process of epidermal wound healing, migration, proliferation, and differentiation of keratinocytes are indispensable, and many studies on the molecular mechanisms of epidermal wound healing have been reported. However, there are few reports about molecular mechanisms of herbal materials on epidermal wound healing effects. In this study, we focused on Paeonia albiflora root extract because it has been utilized in topical agents for skin wound care. Therefore, we examined promoting effects on migration, proliferation, and differentiation by Paeonia albiflora root extract in keratinocytes. As a result, Paeonia albiflora root extract promoted migration and proliferation, but it did not influence differentiation. The promoting effects of Paeonia albiflora root extract on migration and proliferation are caused by the increase of β-defensin-3 expressions and promoting ATP production and by the shortening of the S phase in the cell cycle, respectively. Furthermore, paeoniflorin, one of the components of Paeonia albiflora root extract, had the same effects except for the shortening of the S phase as the extract. In conclusion, it was suggested that Paeonia albiflora root extract and paeoniflorin could have promoting effects on epidermal wound healing.