(A) study on the effect of gypenoside LXXV on wound healing and its mechanism of action

Abstract

Cutaneous wound healing is a well-orchestrated event in which many types of cells and growth factors are involved in restoring the barrier function of the skin. In order to identify whether ginsenosides, the main active components of Panax ginseng, promote wound healing, the proliferation and migration activities of 15 different ginsenosides were tested by MTT assay and scratched wound closure assay. Among ginsenosides, gypenoside LXXV (G75) showed the most potent wound healing effects. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the effects of G75 on wound healing in vivo and characterize associated molecular changes. G75 significantly increased proliferation and migration of keratinocytes and fibroblasts, and promoted wound closure in an excision wound mouse model compared with madecassoside (MA), which has been used to treat wounds. Additionally, RNA sequencing data revealed G75-mediated significant upregulation of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), which is known to be produced via the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) pathway. Consistently, the increase in production of CTGF was confirmed by western blot and ELISA. In addition, GR-competitive binding assay and GR translocation assay results demonstrated that G75 can bind to GR and translocate to the nucleus. These results demonstrated that G75 is a novel compound that effectively promotes wound healing.