Zosteric Acid, a Bioactive Component in Eelgrass Zostera marina, Reduced Collagen I Expression in a Repaired Mouse Fibroblast Scratch

Abstract

Zosteric acid (ZA), a bioactive component in Zostera marina eelgrass, was applied to assess closure of normal mouse fibroblast scratch and collagen I expression. The cytotoxicity of ZA on the fibroblast at different ZA concentrations was evaluated. ZA showed low toxicity with ~80% of cell viability at a concentration of ~1600 ppm. A single scratch (~1500 μm) was made on a layer of fibroblast, and collagen expression was determined after 72 hours when the scratch fully closed for both ZA-treated and untreated samples. Compared to control, the ZA-treated cells were slightly less dense and randomly oriented in the closure region and had lower actin and vinculin expressions. The total collagen expressions were comparable to the control, whereas collagen I expression of the mouse fibroblast treated with 1600 ppm of ZA was significantly lower than untreated fibroblasts.