Effects of Quercetin and Curcumin Combination on Antibacterial, Antioxidant, In Vitro Wound Healing and Migration of Human Dermal Fibroblast Cells

Abstract

Wound healing impairment due to a postponed, incomplete, or uncoordinated healing process has been a challenging clinical problem. Much research has focused on wound care, particularly on discovery of new therapeutic approaches for acute and chronic wounds. This study aims to evaluate the effect of the combination of quercetin and curcuminoids at three different ratios on the antimicrobial, antioxidant, cell migration and wound healing properties. The antioxidant activities of quercetin, curcuminoids and the mixtures were tested by DPPH and ABTS free radical scavenging assays. The disc diffusion method was performed to determine the antibacterial activities of quercetin, curcuminoids and the mixtures against S. aureus and P. aeruginosa. The cytotoxicity and cell migratory enhancing effects of quercetin, curcuminoids and the mixtures against human dermal fibroblasts were investigated by MTT assay, scratch assay and Transwell migration assay, respectively. The results showed the synergism of the quercetin and curcuminoid combination to inhibit the growth of S. aureus and P. aeruginosa, with the inhibition zone ranging from 7.06 ± 0.25 to 8.78 ± 0.38 mm, respectively. The DPPH free radical scavenging assay demonstrated that the combination of quercetin and curcuminoids yielded lower IC50 values (15.38–23.70 µg/mL) than curcuminoids alone (25.75 µg/mL). Quercetin and a 3:1 quercetin/curcuminoid mixture at non-toxic concentrations showed the ability to stimulate the migration of fibroblasts across the matrix, whereas only quercetin alone accelerated the wound closure of fibroblasts. In conclusion, the mixture of quercetin and curcuminoids at a 3:1 ratio was the best formulations for use in wound healing due to the antimicrobial, antioxidant and cell-migration-enhancing activities.

The Molecular Mechanism of Polyphenols with Anti-Aging Activity in Aged Human Dermal Fibroblasts

“…Quercetin remarkably stimulated NRF2 and enhanced the expression of HO-1 and catalase [ 24 ]. Interestingly, a ratio of 3:1 quercetin/curcuminoid mixture exhibited the maximal ability to activate the migration of fibroblasts [ 25 ].…”

Novel Curcumin-Encapsulated α-Tocopherol Nanoemulsion System and Its Potential Application for Wound Healing in Diabetic Animals

“…The results showed the synergism of the quercetin and curcuminoid combination to inhibit the growth of S. aureus and P. aeruginosa . The selected mixture containing the ratio 3 : 1 was the optimized formulation in terms of wound healing activity because of its inherent antibacterial, antioxidant, and cell migration-enhancing activities [ 62 ]. The exertion of local antimicrobial activity at the wound site by the topical antimicrobial application is considered detrimental to promoting skin tissue regeneration and preventing secondary bacterial infection [ 63 ].…”

Phytochemical Constitution, Anti-Inflammation, Anti-Androgen, and Hair Growth-Promoting Potential of Shallot (Allium ascalonicum L.) Extract

“…So far, there is no study about the effects of bioactive compounds on the transcriptional regulatory elements associated with SRD5A genes and AGA. Quercetin has been reported to possess anti-inflammatory activity and anti-androgen activity through the inhibition of steroid 5α-reductases and the downregulation of androgen receptors [ 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 ]. Quercetin-rich extracts including Ginkgo biloba , Camelia sinensis , and Cuscuta reflexa exhibited promising hair growth-promoting activities via the attenuation of steroid 5α-reductases [ 41 ].…”