Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the wound healing effect of acai berry water extracts (ABWE) and a possible underlying mechanism involved in its action using various in vitro and in vivo models. The wound healing effect of ABWE was evaluated by migration assay using HS68 fibroblast cells. In addition, its effect on mRNA expression of procollagen, fibronectin, and MMP-1 was determined. Moreover, the wound healing effect of ABWE was evaluated in in vivo wound models through macroscopic and microscopic observation. In addition, mRNA expression levels of wound related genes were determined. Results revealed that ABWE was not cytotoxic. It increased migration of HS68 fibroblast cells. ABWE increased mRNA expression levels of fibronectin but decreased the mRNA expression levels of MMP-1. ABWE also showed significantly potent wound healing effect in vivo based on macroscopic and histopathological observation and mRNA expression evaluation for wound related genes. Taken together, our results indicated that ABWE might have potential as a wound healing agent.