Asiaticoside induction for cell-cycle progression, proliferation and collagen synthesis in human dermal fibroblasts

Asiaticoside, isolated from Centella asiatica, promotes fibroblast proliferation and extracullar matrix synthesis in wound healing. The precise mechanism, however, in molecular and gene expression levels still remains partially understood. Using cDNA microarray technology, the alternation of genes expression profiles was determined in a human dermal fibroblast in vitro in the presence of asiaticoside (30 mug/ml). Fifty-four genes, with known functions for cell proliferation, cell-cycle progression and synthesis of the extracellular matrix, were significantly up-regulated in our "whole-genes nest" expression profile at various timepoints. Furthermore, mRNA levels and protein productions of certain genes responsible for extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis (e.g. encoding type I and type III collagen proteins) were evaluated by Northern blot and radioimmunoassay, respectively. As a result, there is a close correlation among the gene profile, mRNA and protein production in the cells response to asiaticoside stimulation. This information could be used for exploring the target genes in response to asiaticoside in fibroblasts.