Flax Fiber Hydrophobic Extract Inhibits Human Skin Cells Inflammation and Causes Remodeling of Extracellular Matrix and Wound Closure Activation

Abstract

Inflammation is the basis of many diseases, with chronic wounds amongst them, limiting cell proliferation and tissue regeneration. Our previous preclinical study of flax fiber applied as a wound dressing and analysis of its components impact on the fibroblast transcriptome suggested flax fiber hydrophobic extract use as an anti-inflammatory and wound healing preparation. The extract contains cannabidiol (CBD), phytosterols, and unsaturated fatty acids, showing great promise in wound healing. In in vitro proliferation and wound closure tests the extract activated cell migration and proliferation. The activity of matrix metalloproteinases in skin cells was increased, suggesting activation of extracellular components remodeling. The expression of cytokines was diminished by the extract in a cannabidiol-dependent manner, but β-sitosterol can act synergistically with CBD in inflammation inhibition. Extracellular matrix related genes were also analyzed, considering their importance in further stages of wound healing. The extract activated skin cell matrix remodeling, but the changes were only partially cannabidiol- and β-sitosterol-dependent. The possible role of fatty acids also present in the extract is suggested. The study shows the hydrophobic flax fiber components as wound healing activators, with anti-inflammatory cannabidiol acting in synergy with sterols, and migration and proliferation promoting agents, some of which still require experimental identification.

Effects of cannabidiol, a Cannabis sativa constituent, on oral wound healing process in rats: Clinical and histological evaluation

“…Prolonged inflammation inhibits the proliferation and differentiation of epithelial cells due to reactive oxygen species production (Kasuya & Tokura, ). Moreover, wounds that take longer to heal cause more pain and are susceptible to infection (Styrczewska et al, ). CBD effects on inflammation have already been described using both in vivo and in vitro models of chronic and acute diseases (Burstein, ; Pisanti et al, ).…”

“…On the other hand, Styrczewska et al developed a wound dressing composed of flax fiber containing CBD and concluded that this resource showed promising results in healing and activating cell proliferation and migration in vitro. CBD did not alter the morphology or proliferation of fibroblasts and keratinocytes and was also responsible for exerting an antiinflammatory effect and increased the activity of matrix metalloproteinases (Styrczewska et al, ). Thus, the influence of CBD on keratinocytes is still controversial, and further studies are needed to investigate its effects and identify the exact mechanisms of action.…”

Therapeutic Strategies of Plant-derived Compounds for Diabetes Via Regulation of Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1

“…Real-time PCR showed inhibition of proinflammatory gene expression in skin fibroblasts, in-cluding interleukins 1β and 6, cyclooxygenase 2, and activation of the expression of suppressor of cytokine and chemokine signaling 1, which is a known antiinflammatory gene. The altered expression of other genes showed a similar direction of extract activity, lowering migration, and adhesion of leukocytes (MCP1 and ICAM1), and these changes were correlated with the cannabidiol concentration in the extract [149].…”

Were our Ancestors Right in Using Flax Dressings? Research on the Properties of Flax Fibre and Its Usefulness in Wound Healing

“…There are biological endocannabinoids (produced by human cells, e.g., anandamide or plant-derived terpenophenolics) and synthetic cannabinoids (e.g., HU-243, WIN-55,212-2). Reports show the important role of terpenophenol as an agent with analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties [ 24 , 25 ]. Preclinical studies have demonstrated the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and vasodilating properties of linseed dressings.…”