REVIEW article

Front. Pharmacol., 21 August 2018

Sec. Ethnopharmacology

Volume 9 - 2018 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2018.00784

Use of Some Asteraceae Plants for the Treatment of Wounds: From Ethnopharmacological Studies to Scientific Evidences

  • Programa de Pós-Graduação, Universidade Ceuma, São Luís, Brazil

Abstract

Severe wounds result in large lesions and/or loss of function of the affected areas. The treatment of wounds has challenged health professionals due to its complexity, especially in patients with chronic diseases (such as diabetes), and the presence of pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Taking this into consideration, the development of new therapies for wound healing requires immediate attention. Ethnopharmacological studies performed in different countries have shown the use of several plants from the Asteraceae family as wound-healing agents. Evidences gained from the traditional medicine have opened new ways for the development of novel and more efficient therapies based on the pharmacological properties of these plants. In this article, we discuss the literature data on the use of Asteraceae plants for the treatment of wounds, based on the ethnopharmacological relevance of each plant. Special attention was given to studies showing the mechanisms of action of Asteraceae-derived compounds and clinical trials. Ageratina pichinchensis (Kunth) R.M. King and H. Rob. and Calendula officinalis L. preparations/compounds were found to show good efficacy when assessed in clinical trials of complicated wounds, including venous leg ulcers and foot ulcers of diabetic patients. The compounds silibinin [from Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn.] and jaceosidin (from Artemisia princeps Pamp.) were identified as promising compounds for the treatment of wounds. Overall, we suggest that Asteraceae plants represent important sources of compounds that may act as new and efficient healing products.

Introduction

Wounds, especially of chronic nature, cause a serious public health concern as they negatively affect the quality of life of a large number of people, showing psychological, social, and economic impacts (Vowden and Vowden, 2016; ). When not properly treated, their associated lesions can become larger and result in the loss of function of the affected areas. Wounds are classified on the basis of the various factors such as location, borders, size, tissue type, secretion, odor, edema, and pain (; Wernick and Stawicki, 2018). Based on these characteristics, they can be simple or complex, deep or superficial, acute or chronic, sterile or contaminated, or even defined by the type of healing (; ).

Based on its complexity, a wound is considered as simple when it is able to spontaneously evolve to resolution or as complex when lesions are extensive and/or deep and require special resources or more specialized treatment for its complete healing (Wernick and Stawicki, 2018). Based on its depth, a wound is superficial when it is restricted to the epidermis or dermis or deep when it affects the subcutaneous tissue, muscles, and/or bones (Shin et al., 2017; ). Wounds can be also classified as acute or chronic, with the former achieving resolution within 3 weeks and minimal or no scar tissue formation, whereas the latter may take several weeks to heal and can often lead to the loss of function of the affected tissues (; ). The healing time is influenced by different factors such as the presence of comorbidities (diabetes, hypertension, neurological lesions, among others), infection, aging, nutritional status, personal care, and appropriate and timely treatment (; ; ; ; Yuan et al., 2018).

The treatment of chronic wounds is complex and can include the administration of vascular endothelial growth factor or erythropoietin, which may not always be efficient and present high costs and has short half-life and side effects (; ; Yu et al., 2018). Moreover, the treatment of chronic wounds often requires the use of antimicrobials due to their multifactorial nature (). Considering this aspect, the development of new therapies for wound healing requires immediate attention. Plant-derived products have presented protective actions in wound care, and the healing activity of several active compounds has been shown (; ; ). Ethnopharmacological studies performed in different countries have shown that many plants from the Asteraceae family may be useful as sources of healing agents and therefore aid in the treatment of different types of wounds. As such, their pharmacological potential has been explored in an attempt to develop novel and more efficient therapies to accelerate healing and diminish the loss of function of tissues in the wounded area (; ; ). This article discusses the scientific evidences supporting the use of Asteraceae plants and their derived compounds as healing therapies. The main focus was given to plants with ethnopharmacological relevance, especially to the mechanism of action of their isolated compounds and clinical trials assessing their efficacy.

Overview of Wound Healing

Wound healing consists of a coordinated cascade of cellular and biochemical events that interact with the tissue reconstitution (; ; ). This process consists of three distinct and superposed phases: inflammation, proliferation, and tissue remodeling (Figure 1) (). Inflammation occurs soon after lesion. At this stage, a blood clot is formed to cease bleeding and also to make a viable matrix rich in growth factors and chemokines, which in turn contribute to the migration of leukocytes and stromal cells (). After 24 h, neutrophils appear at the margins of the wounds, and the process of sterilization and waste degradation begin. This first stage of the healing process is normally completed within 3 days following surgical or acute wounds (; Shaw and Martin, 2009).

FIGURE 1

Proliferation is the phase responsible for the wound closure, occurring 4 days following a wound. It involves re-epithelization (movement of epithelial cells), formation of granulation tissue (responsible for filling the injured tissue), and angiogenesis (; Zomer and Trentin, 2018). Fibroblasts produce the new extracellular matrix necessary for the cell growth, whereas the new blood vessels carry oxygen and the nutrients necessary for the local cellular metabolism (Shaw and Martin, 2009; ). Two weeks after the lesion, there is a vasculature regression, and the granulation tissue is converted into an avascular scar without inflammation, which is covered by intact epithelium, as a result of collagen deposition (; ). Scar contraction occurs in large lesions due to the activity of myofibroblasts—fibroblast-like cells that have the contractile ability of smooth muscle cells (Wernick and Stawicki, 2018; Zomer and Trentin, 2018).

Finally, the remodeling phase begins approximately 3 weeks after the lesion. This phase is characterized by a random deposition of collagen, and then, metalloproteinases (produced by macrophages, neutrophils, fibroblasts, and epithelial cells) regulate the degradation and deposition of extracellular matrix, which are essential for wound re-epithelization (; ; ; ; Zomer and Trentin, 2018). Consequently, larger collagen fibers are formed and organized according to the direction of the adjacent connective tissue. At the end of this stage, there is a limited regeneration of the skin attachments, such as hair follicles and glands, and a pale-colored scar with up to 80% of the original tensile strength present (; ; ).

Plants From Asteraceae Family as Wound-Healing Agents

Plants have been used for medicinal purposes for many years as shown in previous studies (; ; Tiwari et al., 2018). In this context, plants from the Asteraceae family are well known for their ethnopharmacological importance for many communities (; Tewari et al., 2017; ), and this family is widely distributed and is considered to be the largest family of flowering plants in the world (). Due to their distribution and ethnopharmacological importance, several plant-derived products from this family have been studied, with some of their pharmacological activities already identified. These include anti-inflammatory (), antimicrobial (), antioxidant (), anti-protozoa (), and healing activities (). Some species [such as Calendula officinalis L., Achillea millefolium L., Neurolaena lobata (L.) R.Br. ex Cass.] have been specially described in the literature due to their therapeutic potential for the treatment of wounds (; ). Their efficacy has been suggested to be related to their ability to promote the proliferation of keratinocytes and thus the remodeling of the extracellular matrix (Speroni et al., 2002; ). Hence, the therapeutic use of these plants will now be discussed. The most relevant studies (i.e., those that provide insights into the mechanism of action) are summarized in Table 1.

Table 1

SpeciesPopular nameProductType of studyConclusionsReference
Blumea balsamifera (L.)SambongLeaf extractIn vivo study with Sprague-Dawley ratsThe extract induced wound contraction, capillary regeneration, collagen deposition, and re-epithelization
Volatile oilIn vivo study with Kun- Ming miceThe topical application of the volatile oil promoted capillary regeneration, blood circulation, collagen deposition, granular tissue formation, epithelial deposition, and wound contraction
Silibinin-based gelIn vivo study with Swiss miceThe formulation induced the production of collagen fibers, fibroblasts, and proliferating blood capillaries (angiogenesis)
Acmella oleraceaJambuRhamnogalacturonanIn vivo study in Wistar Rats with gastric ulcersThe treatment reduced the gastric lesions due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant mechanisms It also induced cellular proliferation
Achillea asiaticaEthanolic extractIn vivo study with Sprague-Dawley rats and in vitro study with Hs68 fibroblastsThe extract enhanced healing by promotion of keratinocyte differentiation and motility and anti-inflammatory effects. It induced the expression of β-catenin, collagen, and keratinocyte differentiation markers
Artemisia princeps PampaniniKorean wormwood, Korean mugwort, and Japanese mugwortJaceosidinIn vitro study with HUVEC1Jaceosidin promoted proliferation, migration, differentiation of human endothelia cells, and angiogenesis
Calendula officinalisPot marigoldHydroalcoholic extractIn vivo study with BALB/c mice and in vitro study with HDF2The extract was able to induce tissue granulation, proliferation, and cell migration
TinctureIn vitro study with HI-383, NIH-3T34, HeLa5, HDF2The treatment potentiated wound healing by stimulating fibroblast proliferation and migration in a PI3K-dependent pathway
OilIn vivo study in foot ulcers of diabetic patientsThe use of low-intensity laser therapy associated with C. officinalis oil caused analgesic and reduced inflammation
Achyrocline alataJateí-ka-háExtractIn vivo study with miceThe extract accelerated the healing by decreasing the initial inflammatory response and promoted re-epithelization and collagen remodeling

Use of some Asteraceae plants for the treatment of wounds in vivo and in vitro.

1HUVECs, human umbilical vascular endothelial cells; 2HDF, human primary dermal fibroblast cells; 3HI-38, human lung fibroblast cells; 4NIH-3T3, Swiss albino mouse fibroblast cells; 5HeLa, human cervical carcinoma cells.

Blumea balsamifera (L.) DC.

Blumea balsamifera (L.) DC. is a plant used in the traditional medicine of several Asiatic countries, where it is popularly known as Ainaxiang (; ; Sujarwo et al., 2015). Its leaves are rich in volatile compounds such as L-borneol (major compound), terpenoids, fatty acids, phenols, alcohols, aldehydes, ethers, ketones, pyridines, furans, and alkanes (), which may contribute to the healing properties of B. balsamifera. Indeed, the topical application of the volatile oil obtained from the leaves of B. balsamifera in wounded Kun-Ming mice enhanced angiogenesis and collagen deposition, and additionally induced epithelial deposition and formation of granular tissue. This effect on the proliferation phase of healing was suggested to be associated with the increased production of the neuropeptide substance P (). The volatile oil also accelerated the healing of Sprague-Dawley rats with burn injuries by triggering the release of growth factors in the tissue and decreasing the plasma concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNFα and IL-1) ().

in their study evaluated the healing actions of a flavonoid-rich leaf extract from B. balsamifera on skin wounds of Sprague-Dawley rats. This extract caused wound contraction, capillary regeneration, collagen deposition, and re-epithelization 7 days following treatment. These alterations were associated with the enhanced expression of vascular endothelial growth factor, transforming growth factor-β1, and CD68 antigen in rat wound tissues. Different compounds were detected in the extract including 16 flavonoid aglucons, 5 flavonoid glycosides, 5 chlorogenic acid analogs, and 1 coumarin ().

Silibinin From Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn.

Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. is another plant of ethnopharmacological importance in wound healing (; ). Evidences have shown that silymarin, an extract from its seeds, increases epithelization and decreases inflammation in albino rats subjected to the excision wound (). It was also shown that this extract protects human fibroblasts from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced oxidative stress (). Similarly, the silymarin-derived compound silibinin (flavonoid) accelerated the closure of skin wounds in rats by upregulating the expression of stromelysin 1 hydroxyproline, glycosaminoglycans, and collagen (important constituents of extracellular matrix) (Tabandeh et al., 2013). This compound was also found to reduce the toxic effects caused by nitrogen mustard in the mouse skin (). This action was associated with an inhibition of oxidative stress and inflammation (). As shown in another study, the repeated topical application (14 days treatment) of a silibinin-based gel resulted in an efficient wound healing strategy, by acting on tissue re-epithelization, collagen production, and deposition of granulation tissue (as shown in Figure 2) ().

FIGURE 2

Calendula officinalis L.

Calendula officinalis L. (or calendula) is a species used in the treatment of wounds in Europe since 13th century, and a large number of cosmetic and personal care products have been developed using its compounds (). Its use as a healing agent is supported by different in vivo and in vitro studies. In one of these studies, the ethanolic extract obtained from C. officinalis flowers, and its dichloromethane and hexanic fractions were found to increase angiogenesis in both chorioallantoic membranes (CAMs) of embryonated eggs and rat with skin wounds. This effect on vessels was related to discrete infiltration of inflammatory cells and increased the collagen deposition (, ). Recently, a cream containing the glycolic extract from C. officinalis flowers was found to enhance collagen organization in the initial phase of the healing process, and this was correlated with an increase in the concentrations of hydroxyproline, an indicator of the collagen content in the tissue ().

In vitro studies were performed to provide more insights into the mechanisms of action involved in the healing action of a product based on the hydroalcoholic extract of C. officinalis (approved by the European Medicines Agency (). C. officinalis tincture was able to increase the proliferation and the migration of fibroblasts in a PI3K-dependent pathway, with activation of FAK and Akt. Flavonol glycosides were the major compounds detected in this extract (). Human keratinocytes treated with C. officinalis flower extracts (n-hexanic and ethanolic extracts) exhibited the increased expression of IL-8 and activation of the transcription factor NF-κB, in addition to the enhanced migration ability. The ethanolic extract of this plant was also able to inhibit collagenase activity in human dermal fibroblasts. These effects were attributed to the presence of flavonoids and saponins in the extract ().

The hydroalcoholic extract and its aqueous fraction of C. officinalis (rich in rutin and quercetin-3-O-glucoside) exhibited significant in vitro effects on the proliferation and migration of human dermal fibroblasts, in addition to the increased expression of connective tissue growth factor and α-smooth muscle actin, proteins that favor healing by activating cell proliferation, migration, adhesion, and tissue repair. The topical application of hydroalcoholic extract or its aqueous fraction of C. officinalis on excisional wounds of BALB/c mice accelerated wound contraction by increasing the tissue levels of connective tissue growth factor and α-smooth muscle actin ().

Particularly noteworthy was the commercially available product containing the hydroglycolic extract of C. officinalis (Plenusdermax) as it promoted wound epithelization, thus decreasing the healing time in patients with venous leg ulcers (). Another study showed that the use of low-intensity laser therapy associated with C. officinalis oil causes analgesia, in addition to the reduction of lesions in foot ulcers of diabetic patients (). Interestingly, C. officinalis has been considered as an alternative resource by national health surveillance agencies such as the one in Brazil.

Achillea Genus

Achillea genus has been widely used in the traditional medicine as a source of healing products (; ). Achillea millefolium L. is the most studied species among others. A. millefolium is a herb, commonly known as yarrow, which is indigenous to the Northern Hemisphere of Europe and Asia, and it has been popularly used for over 3,000 years (). Its pharmacological properties include anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antifungal, and healing actions (; ), which have been attributed to several chemical constituents such as sesquiterpenes and phenolic compounds ().

An in vitro study, carried out in human skin fibroblasts, showed that the hydroalcoholic extract from the aerial parts of A. millefolium induces cell proliferation (). More recently, oil extracts from aerial parts of A. millefolium were shown to reduce skin irritation in healthy individuals. Two approaches were applied to obtain the extracts: (i) the aerial parts of A. millefolium were macerated with ethanol, followed by olive oil (E1) or sunflower oil (E2) and (ii) the maceration of plant material occurred only in the presence of olive oil (E3) or sunflower oil (E4). This double-blind study enrolled 23 volunteers who had 8% sodium lauryl sulfate applied to their skin to cause irritation. After 24 h, these subjects received a topical application of the oil extracts for 7 days. All oil formulations were able to stabilize the skin pH and to increase hydration while reducing erythema. However, E1 and E2 exhibited the highest anti-inflammatory action, whereas E3 and E4 promoted highest levels of skin hydration. The presence of compounds with reported anti-inflammatory actions in both E1 and E2 (luteolin, apigenin and their glycosides, caffeic, and chlorogenic acids as well as chlorophyll derivatives) may explain these results (Tadic et al., 2017).

Evidences have also suggested a healing potential of Achillea asiatica Serg. (synonym of A. millefolium var. manshurica Kitam), popularly known as Mongolian yarrow. In vitro incubation of the ethanolic extract from the aerial parts of this plant with Hs68 fibroblasts triggered the production of collagen by these cells; this involved the activation of transforming growth factor-β-mediated pathways. The same extract also enhanced the differentiation and motility of keratinocytes through the upregulation of β-catenin, Akt, and keratinocyte differentiation markers. Compounds such as chlorogenic acid, apigenin-7-O-glucoside, and schaftoside were identified and associated with the healing effects of A. asiatica ethanolic extract (). A comparative analysis of the in vitro healing potential of extracts obtained from A. coarctata, A. kotschyi, and A. lycaonica was performed in cultured NIH-3T3 fibroblasts. A. kotschyi extract was the most effective, presenting chlorogenic acid, hyperoside, apigenin, hesperidin, rutin, kaempferol, and luteolin in its composition ().

Pluchea Genus

Plants from the Pluchea genus have been used as healing agents by different communities (; ; ). Pluchea indica (L.) Less. healing actions have been attributed to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties (). These evidences have been further supported by recent studies showing that nanoparticles containing P. indica leaf ethanolic extract increase the migration of oral mucosal cells in vitro. This preparation presented characteristics (size, charge, polydispersity index, increased colloidal stability) that support its use as an oral spray (). Furthermore, the size of Leishmania amazonensis–induced cutaneous lesions in BALB/c mice was found to be reduced by the intralesional treatment with an essential oil obtained from the leaves of Pluchea carolinensis (Jacq.) D.Don. The main component of this essential oil was selin-11-en-4α-ol ().

Artemisia princeps Pamp. and Isolated Compounds

Another plant with the ethnopharmacological relevance is Artemisia princeps Pamp., which is traditionally used to treat inflammatory-related diseases and had its properties scientifically proven in various in vitro and in vivo models (; ). Jaceosidin is extracted from this plant, which has also been identified as the main constituent of other plants from the Artemisia genus such as A. argyi with ethnomedicinal use as a healing agent (). It has the ability to inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory mediators such as TNF-α, IL-1β, and PGE2 (). In vitro, this flavonoid induces the proliferation, migration, and differentiation of human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (Figure 3) (). It also stimulates the formation of microvessels in rat aortic tissue, and this effect has been associated with the activation of VEGFR2/FAK/PI3K/AKT/NF-κB signaling pathways (). Overall, all these studies suggest Jaceosidin as an interesting pro-angiogenic compound.

FIGURE 3

Isosecotanapartholide, isolated from A. princeps, has also exhibited in vitro proliferative properties. Isosecotanapartholide (and the extract from A. princeps) inhibited the production of IL-33 by human keratinocytes (HaCaT), and this was associated with reduced levels of signaling molecules such as signal transducer and activator of transcription-1 (STAT-1), thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC/CCL17), and adhesion molecule-1 ().

Ageratina pichinchensis (Kunth) R.M. King and H. Rob.

Ageratina pichinchensis (Kunth) R.M. King and H. Rob. is a plant with ethnopharmacological relevance in Mexico, and its several pharmacological activities have been confirmed in murine models and clinical trials in vivo, such as onychomycosis (), interdigital tinea pedis (), stomatitis (), and vulvovaginal candidiasis (). Despite its use for wound healing, the first study showed that the daily topical application of an aqueous extract from the aerial parts of A. pichinchensis heals wounds in rats without inducing skin irritation (). Based on these results, a bio-guided purification revealed that 7-O-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)-galactin is the major compound associated with the effects of A. pichinchensis in cell proliferation (). Later, two extracts (aqueous and hexane) with standardized concentrations of 7-O-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)-galactin were shown to promote the healing of skin lesions in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes ().

The healing properties of this plant were also assessed in human clinical trials. For instance, the effectiveness of a standardized extract of A. pichinchensis was proved to heal chronic venous leg ulcers (). In another study, a cream containing an extract of A. pichinchensis was topically used by diabetic patients with foot ulcer; the results showed this treatment decreases healing time and lesion size although no significant differences were observed. The authors attributed this fact to the sample size, but they concluded that a large clinical trial could prove the action of A. pichinchensis in this type of wound ().

Achyrocline alata (Kunth) DC. and Achyrocline satureioides (Lam.) DC.

Plants from the Achyrocline genus play an important role in traditional medicine and are commonly found in Latin American countries (; ; ). Ethnobotanical surveys performed in the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul indicated that Achyrocline satureioides (Lam.) DC. is widely used for healing. It was shown that the ethanolic extracts from the aerial parts of this plant induce the proliferation of HaCaT keratinocytes (). The healing activity of an essential oil of A. satureioides inflorescences incorporated into hydroxyethyl cellulose films was also demonstrated in Wistar rats (Yamane et al., 2016).

A recent study evaluated the use of the extracts from inflorescences of Achyrocline alata (Kunth) DC. and A. satureioides for the repair of cutaneous wounds in mice. Both extracts showed positive results, but only A. alata accelerated wound closure, presenting a higher probability of healing in a shorter time of treatment. The authors attributed this effect to higher concentrations of phenolic compounds in A. alata. Moreover, it was possible to observe that animals treated with A. alata extract present less mast cells at the site of inflammation, better re-epithelization and granulation of the injured tissue, and reduction of the initial inflammatory reaction ().

Acmella oleracea (L.) Spreng.

Acmella oleracea (L.) Spreng. (jambu) is a native plant from Brazil that is used to treat skin and gastrointestinal disorders and also as a female aphrodisiac (; ; ). A polysaccharide extracted from A. oleracea, named rhamnogalacturonan, was found to inhibit ethanol-induced gastric ulcers in rats (). This effect was better elucidated later, as this compound was shown to protect against both acute (intraperitoneal treatment) and chronic lesions (oral administration) induced by ethanol (). Rhamnogalacturonan also enhanced the gastric cell proliferation and mucus content while decreasing inflammation and oxidative stress in the stomach ().

Another study reported the development of hydroxyethyl cellulose (HCE) films containing an ethanolic extract from the aerial parts of A. oleracea and an essential oil obtained from the inflorescences of Achyrocline satureioides. The HCE films containing these two plant materials demonstrated wound healing activity in Wistar rats, an effect that was associated with increased levels of collagen deposition in wounds. α-Humulene and spilanthol were detected in the essential oil of A. satureioides and the extract of A. oleracea, respectively (Yamane et al., 2016).

Artemisia Plants

The genus Artemisia plays an important role in the traditional medicine (Shenkman and Krivenkov, 1986; ; ) and in the development of anti-inflammatory and anticancer drugs (; ; ). The pharmacological potentials of these plants have also been evaluated in healing models. For example, the extract from Artemisia asiatica (Pamp.) Nakai ex Kitam was efficient against gastric injuries induced by ethanol (), while Artemisia argyi H.Lév. and Vaniot healed oral ulcers in rats (Yin et al., 2017). Another study showed that the essential oil from Artemisia montana (Nakai) Pamp improves the proliferation of human keratinocytes and enhances their capacity to produce type IV collagen. These effects were associated with the phosphorylation of Akt and ERK 1/2. In vivo assays showed that the essential oil from A. montana promotes the healing of rats with dorsal wounds (Yoon et al., 2014). The aqueous extract from Artemisia campestris L. also reduced the number of inflammatory cells in the wounded area and presented a positive effect in the progress of wound healing ().

Conclusion

This review described the aspects involved in the healing properties of some Asteraceae plants. In fact, several plants from this family have ethnopharmacological relevance for the treatment of wounds due to their direct effects on healing and in some cases due to their anti-inflammatory actions. The discussed studies provided the scientific basis for the ethnopharmacological usage of these plants, since different products derived from them (isolated compounds, oils, and extracts) are effective in the models of healing in vitro and in vivo. Silibinin (from S. marianum) and jaceosidin (from A. princeps) were identified as promising compounds for the development of healing agents. Furthermore, the results obtained in clinical trials with A. pichinchensis and C. officinalis are exciting and highlight their importance for the treatment of wounds. These evidences suggest that Asteraceae plants are important sources for the development of new efficient drugs for healing.

Statements

Author contributions

AC, RD, MS, CF, AZ, MG, EF, and LdS contributed to conception and design and critically revised the manuscript. All authors gave final approval and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Funding

The authors would like to express their gratitude to Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Científico do Maranhão (FAPEMA; UNIVERSAL-00998/16 and COOPI-02860/16), Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES; 3325/2013), and Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq; 309046/2016-5) for research funding. AC (undergraduate student), RD and MS (M.Sc. students), and CF (Ph.D. student) receive studentships from FAPEMA.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

References

Summary

Keywords

Ageratina pichinchensis, Calendula officinalis, silibinin, jaceosidin, drug development, ethnomedicine

Citation

Carvalho Jr. AR, Diniz RM, Suarez MAM, Figueiredo CSSS, Zagmignan A, Grisotto MAG, Fernandes ES and da Silva LCN (2018) Use of Some Asteraceae Plants for the Treatment of Wounds: From Ethnopharmacological Studies to Scientific Evidences. Front. Pharmacol. 9:784. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2018.00784

Received

24 March 2018

Accepted

27 June 2018

Published

21 August 2018

Volume

9 - 2018

Edited by

Adolfo Andrade-Cetto, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico

Reviewed by

István Zupkó, University of Szeged, Hungary; Zsuzsanna Hajdú, University of Szeged, Hungary

Updates

Copyright

*Correspondence: Luís C. N. da Silva, ;

This article was submitted to Ethnopharmacology, a section of the journal Frontiers in Pharmacology

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All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

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