Myrtus communis L. (Myrtle) has been widely used in traditional remedies for curing several medical conditions including wounds. However, studies addressing its detailed molecular mechanisms especially those involved in the angiogenic process are still limited. Hence, the current study was aimed to investigate the effect of ethanol extract of myrtle leaves ME on some molecular mechanisms involved in the wound healing process.

Firstly, the effect of ME on the viability of HUVECs, 3T3 fibroblast cell line and J774A.1 macrophage was evaluated using MTT assay. Moreover, the effect of ME on the migration of HUVECs was evaluated by the scratch assay. The protein expression of HIF-1α and VEGF in HUVECs was analyzed using western blotting. To evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of ME on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated J774A.1 macrophage, the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) at mRNA level was assessed using qRT-PCR. Furthermore, in vitro antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of ME were accomplished.

At concentration lower than 6 μg/mL, ME showed no significant toxic effect on all three cell lines. ME significantly reduced the expression of iNOS and COX-2 at mRNA level in LPS-stimulated J774A.1 macrophage as well as increased expression of HIF-1α and VEGF at the protein level in HUVECs. The migratory potential of HUVECs was enhanced by ME. The ME showed potent antioxidant activity at concentrations ≥ 15 μg/mL. Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis were more sensitive to ME than other spices.

The present study may provide more detailed information about the underlying mechanisms involved in wound healing effect of ME.