Biological Activities and Gene Expression Effects of Blended Essential Oils in Promoting Dermal Wound Healing
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59796/jcst.V15N2.2025.106Keywords:
biological activities, blended essential oil, collagen gene expression, human dermal fibroblast, wound healingAbstract
Essential oils (EOs) are highly concentrated plant-derived compounds that have been used for centuries for their benefits in medicinal, food-processing, and commercial purposes - notably within the realm of cultural and luxury industries. However, only a single essential oil has been extensively studied for biological activities and wound healing. This study aimed to investigate the synergistic potential of blended essential oils (BEO) composed of tea tree essential oil (TTO), lavender essential oil (LEO), rosemary essential oil (REO), and turmeric essential oil (TEO) for its biological activities and wound healing effects on human dermal fibroblast (HDF) cells. BEO exhibited the strongest antioxidant activity against 2,2 diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2’-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radicals with IC50 values of 10.669 and 108.497 mg/mL, respectively. It exhibited the lowest cytotoxicity against Vero cells and also demonstrated promising anti-inflammatory and anti-collagenase activities. The in vitro scratch wound healing assay on human dermal fibroblast cells indicated that BEO significantly increased cell migration rate after 48 h of incubation. The gene expression study revealed that BEO promoted wound healing by upregulating the COL1A1 gene, which is involved in type I collagen synthesis. This study is the first to confirm that the blended essential oil (BEO) has the significant potential for use as wound healing agent.
References
Aminnezhad, S., Zonobian, M. A., Moradi Douki, M., Mohammadi, M. R., & Azarakhsh, Y. (2023). Curcumin and their derivatives with anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, anticancer, and antimicrobial activities: A review. Micro Nano Bio Aspects, 2(4), 25-34. https://doi.org/10.22034/mnba.2023.417415.1047
Bahadur, S., & Fatima, S. (2024). Essential oils of some potential medicinal plants and their wound healing activities. Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, 25(14), 1818-1834. https://doi.org/10.2174/0113892010282605231218064053
Chandra, S., Chatterjee, P., Dey, P., & Bhattacharya, S. (2012). Evaluation of in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of coffee against the denaturation of protein. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine, 2(1), S178-S180. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2221-1691(12)60154-3
Chaudhary, M., Khan, A., & Gupta, M. (2019). Skin Ageing: Pathophysiology and current market treatment approaches. Current Alzheimer Research, 16(1), 22-30. https://doi.org/10.2174/1567205016666190809161115
Chen, X., Shang, S., Yan, F., Jiang, H., Zhao, G., Tian, S., ... & Dang, Y. (2023). Antioxidant activities of essential oils and their major components in scavenging free radicals, inhibiting lipid oxidation and reducing cellular oxidative stress. Molecules, 28(11), Article 4559. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28114559
Dehzad, M. J., Ghalandari, H., Nouri, M., & Askarpour, M. (2023). Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of curcumin/turmeric supplementation in adults: A GRADE-assessed systematic review and dose–response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Cytokine, 164, Article 156144. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cyto.2023.156144
de Sousa, D. P., Damasceno, R. O. S., Amorati, R., Elshabrawy, H. A., de Castro, R. D., Bezerra, D. P., ... & Lima, T. C. (2023). Essential Oils: Chemistry and pharmacological activities. Biomolecules, 13(7), Article 1144. https://doi.org/10.3390/biom13071144
Elbouzidi, A., Taibi, M., El Hachlafi, N., Haddou, M., Jeddi, M., Baraich, A., ... & Addi, M. (2024). Formulation of a three-component essential oil mixture from Lavandula dentata, Rosmarinus officinalis, and Myrtus communis for improved antioxidant activity. Pharmaceuticals, 17(8), Article 1071. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph17081071
Henriksen, K., & Karsdal, M. A. (2024). Type I collagen. In Biochemistry of collagens, laminins and elastin (pp. 1-11). Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-443-15617-5.00047-0
Hareng, L., Kolle, S. N., Gomes, C., Schneider, S., & Wahl, M. (2024). Critical assessment of the endocrine potential of Linalool and Linalyl acetate: proactive testing strategy assessing estrogenic and androgenic activity of Lavender oil main components. Archives of Toxicology, 98(1), 347-361. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00204-023-03623-z
Hosseinzadeh, N., Shomali, T., Hosseinzadeh, S., Raouf Fard, F., Jalaei, J., & Fazeli, M. (2020). Cytotoxic activity of Ferula persica gum essential oil on murine colon carcinoma (CT26) and Vero cell lines. Journal of Essential Oil Research, 32(2), 169-177. https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.2020.1729880
Itam, A., Wati, M. S., Agustin, V., Sabri, N., Jumanah, R. A., & Efdi, M. (2021). Comparative study of phytochemical, antioxidant, and cytotoxic activities and phenolic content of Syzygium aqueum (Burm. f. Alston f.) extracts growing in West Sumatera Indonesia. The Scientific World Journal, 2021(1), Article 5537597. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/5537597
Kumari, M., & Nanda, D. K. (2023). Potential of curcumin nanoemulsion as antimicrobial and wound healing agent in burn wound infection. Burns, 49(5), 1003-1016. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.burns.2022.10.008
Kumari, A., Raina, N., Wahi, A., Goh, K. W., Sharma, P., Nagpal, R., ... & Gupta, M. (2022). Wound-healing effects of curcumin and its nanoformulations: A comprehensive review. Pharmaceutics, 14(11), Article 2288. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics14112288
Labib, R. M., Ayoub, I. M., Michel, H. E., Mehanny, M., Kamil, V., Hany, M., ... & Mohamed, A. (2019). Appraisal on the wound healing potential of Melaleuca alternifolia and Rosmarinus officinalis L. essential oil-loaded chitosan topical preparations. PLoS ONE, 14(9), Article e0219561. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0219561
Liang, J., Zhang, Y., Chi, P., Liu, H., Jing, Z., Cao, H., ... & Kong, D. (2023). Essential oils: Chemical constituents, potential neuropharmacological effects and aromatherapy-A review. Pharmacological Research-Modern Chinese Medicine, 6, Article 100210. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prmcm.2022.100210
Liang, Y., He, J., & Guo, B. (2021). Functional hydrogels as wound dressing to enhance wound healing. ACS Nano, 15(8), 12687-12722. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.1c04206
Li Pomi, F., Papa, V., Borgia, F., Vaccaro, M., Allegra, A., Cicero, N., & Gangemi, S. (2023). Rosmarinus officinalis and skin: antioxidant activity and possible therapeutical role in cutaneous diseases. Antioxidants, 12(3), Article 680. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox12030680
Maduwanthi, S. D. T., & Marapana, R. A. U. J. (2021). Total phenolics, flavonoids and antioxidant activity following simulated gastro-intestinal digestion and dialysis of banana (Musa acuminata, AAB) as affected by induced ripening agents. Food Chemistry, 339, Article 127909. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2020.127909
Mićović, T., Topalović, D., Živković, L., Spremo-Potparević, B., Jakovljević, V., Matić, S., ... & Maksimović, Z. (2021). Antioxidant, antigenotoxic and cytotoxic activity of essential oils and methanol extracts of Hyssopus officinalis L. subsp. aristatus (Godr.) Nyman (Lamiaceae). Plants, 10(4), Article 711. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10040711
Muhammad, A. A., Pauzi, N. A. S., Arulselvan, P., Abas, F., & Fakurazi, S. (2013). In vitro wound healing potential and identification of bioactive compounds from Moringa oleifera Lam. BioMed Research International, 2013(1), Article 974580. https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/974580
Nascimento, A. S. D., Tamiasso, R. S. S., Morais, S. F. M., Rizzo Gnatta, J., Turrini, R. N. T., Calache, A. L. S. C., & de Brito Poveda, V. (2022). Essential oils for healing and/or preventing infection of surgical wounds: A systematic review. Revista da Escola de Enfermagem da USP, 56(spe), Article e20210442. https://doi.org/10.1590/1980-220X-REEUSP-2021-0442en
Nguyen, K., Sadaka, A., & Malik, A. (2018). Conservative treatment for penetrating injuries involving the cavernous sinus. Journal of Neuro-Ophthalmology, 38(3), Article 424. https://doi.org/10.1097/WNO.0000000000000679
Nguyen, L., DeVico, B., Mannan, M., Chang, M., Rada Santacruz, C., Siragusa, C., ... & Fazen, C. H. (2023). Tea tree essential oil kills Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus epidermidis persisters. Biomolecules, 13(9), Article 1404. https://doi.org/10.3390/biom13091404
Peng, Y., Ao, M., Dong, B., Jiang, Y., Yu, L., Chen, Z., ... & Xu, R. (2021). Anti-Inflammatory effects of curcumin in the inflammatory diseases: Status, limitations and countermeasures. Drug Design, Development and Therapy, 15, 4503-4525. https://doi.org/10.2147/DDDT.S327378
Qiang, Y., Si, R., Tan, S., Wei, H., Huang, B., Wu, M., ... & Zeng, S. (2021). Spatial variation of volatile organic compounds and antioxidant activity of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) essential oils harvested from four provinces of China. Current Research in Food Science, 4, 882-890. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crfs.2021.11.002
Re, R., Pellegrini, N., Proteggente, A., Pannala, A., Yang, M., & Rice-Evans, C. (1999). Antioxidant activity applying an improved ABTS radical cation decolorization assay. Free radical biology and medicine, 26(9-10), 1231-1237. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0891-5849(98)00315-3
Rujirachotiwat, A., & Suttamanatwong, S. (2021). Curcumin promotes collagen type I, keratinocyte growth factor-1, and epidermal growth factor receptor expressions in the in vitro wound healing model of human gingival fibroblasts. European Journal of Dentistry, 15(01), 63-70. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0040-1715781
Slighoua, M., Mahdi, I., Boucetta, N., Di Cristo, F., Boukhira, S., El youbi el Hamsas, A., ... & Bousta, D. (2022). Pharmacological effects of Lavandula officinalis Chaix and its polyphenols: Focus on their in vivo estrogenic and anti-inflammatory properties. South African Journal of Botany, 146, 354-364. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2021.11.014
Sureda, A., Tejada, S., Mir Khan, U., & Selamoglu, Z. (2023). An overview of the biological function of curcumin in the processes of oxidative stress, inflammation, nervous system, and lipid levels. Central Asian Journal of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences Innovation, 3(1), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.22034/CAJMPSI.2023.01.01
Thring, T. S., Hili, P., & Naughton, D. P. (2011). Antioxidant and potential anti-inflammatory activity of extracts and formulations of white tea, rose, and witch hazel on primary human dermal fibroblast cells. Journal of Inflammation, 8, 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1186/1476-9255-8-27
Todorova, V., Ivanov, K., Georgieva, Y., Karcheva-Bahchevanska, D., & Ivanova, S. (2023). Comparison between the chemical composition of essential oil from commercial products and biocultivated Lavandula angustifolia Mill. International Journal of Analytical Chemistry, 2023(1), Article 1997157. https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/1997157
Tsai, Y. -C., Huang, D. -W., Chou, Y. -Y., An, Y. -C., Cheng, Y. -S., Chen, P. -H., & Tzeng, Y. -S. (2023). Comparative evaluation of tissue adhesives and sutures in the management of facial laceration wounds in children. Journal of Personalized Medicine, 13(9), Article 1350. https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm13091350
Wachtel, N., Heidekrueger, P. I., Brenner, C., Endres, M., Burgkart, R., Micheler, C., ... & Ehrl, D. (2022). Finding the optimal surgical incision pattern-A biomechanical study. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 11(9), Article 2600. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm11092600
Wen, Q., Liu, D., Wang, X., Zhang, Y., Fang, S., Qiu, X., & Chen, Q. (2022). A systematic review of ozone therapy for treating chronically refractory wounds and ulcers. International wound journal, 19(4), 853-870. https://doi.org/10.1111/iwj.13687
Wu, J., Deng, L., Yin, L., Mao, Z., & Gao, X. (2023). Curcumin promotes skin wound healing by activating Nrf2 signaling pathways and inducing apoptosis in mice. Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences, 53(5), 1127-1135. https://doi.org/10.55730/1300-0144.5678
Yen, P. S. Y., Chen, R. F., Liu, Y. H., & Lin, Y. N. (2024). Clinical outcomes of hydrofiber foam dressing in the treatment of abrasion wounds: A retrospective study. Medicine, 103(33), Article e39111. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000039111
Yen, Y. H., Pu, C. M., Liu, C. W., Chen, Y. C., Chen, Y. C., Liang, C. J., ... & Chen, Y. L. (2018). Curcumin accelerates cutaneous wound healing via multiple biological actions: the involvement of TNF‐α, MMP‐9, α‐SMA, and collagen. International wound journal, 15(4), 605-617. https://doi.org/10.1111/iwj.12904
Zhao, Q., Zhu, L., Wang, S., Gao, Y., & Jin, F. (2023). Molecular mechanism of the anti-inflammatory effects of plant essential oils: A systematic review. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 301, Article 115829. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2022.115829
Zhang, J., Ma, X., Wang, W., Wu, C., Ma, B., Yu, C., & Wang, H. (2023). Three new sesquiterpenes from roots of Curcuma longa. Chinese Herbal Medicines, 15(3), 470-474. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chmed.2022.11.007
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Journal of Current Science and Technology
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
