Panduratin A: a possible potential treatment for keloids identified by in vitro inhibition of fibroblast migration on scratch wound healing assays

Abstract Background Keloids are of utmost clinical concern with regard to the wound healing process caused by chronic inflammation. Today, many treatments have been executed but none have shown permanent results. Objective This study aims to find another possible keloid treatment using panduratin A, a phytochemical found in Boesenbergia rotunda (fingerroot) extract. Materials and Methods The effects of panduratin A on fibroblast proliferation and migration were assessed by scratch wound healing assays. Results Panduratin A inhibited wound closure in a dose-dependent manner. The wound region at 24 hours using 2.5, 5, 10, 20 µM panduratin A was significantly larger than the wound region of 0 µM panduratin A (3.6 x 106, 5.6 x 106, 6.5 x 106, 7.5 x 106 vs 1.8 x 106 µm2, p = 0.0011, p < 0.0001, p < 0.0001, p < 0.0001, respectively). Discussion Panduratin A inhibited fibroblast cell migration and proliferation. Many studies found that panduratin A inhibits the release of cytokines related to the pathogenesis of keloids; these include transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1). Conclusion These results propose that panduratin A could be a possible modality for inhibiting keloid formation.