Biological activity of Aesculus hippocastanum flower extracts on vascular endothelial cells cultured in vitro

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of a hydroalcoholic extract of Hippocastani flos (HF) in wound healing, especially in regards to cell viability, proliferation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and proinflammatory cytokine production using an endothelial cell line [human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) line EAhy926]. Antibacterial and anti-hyaluronidase activity was also evaluated. The phytochemical profile was determined using an the UPLC–MS. The UPLC–MS analysis confirmed the presence of nine flavonoids, mainly kaempferol and quercetin derivatives. Specifically, the HF extract contained a high content of polyphenols (88.84 ± 4.13 mg chlorogenic acid equivalents/g dw), including flavonoids (15.68 ± 0.04 mg/quercetin equivalents/g dw). Antioxidant properties were demonstrated using FRAP assays (IC 0.5  = 159.82 μg/mL). The HF extract exhibited a level of anti-hyaluronidase activity (IC 50  = 0.86 mg/mL) similar to the positive control kaempferol (IC 50  = 0.78 mg/mL). The antimicrobial properties of HF were shown against Staphylococcus aureus (MIC, MBC = 12.5 mg/mL). After exposing the endothelial cells to HF extract in vitro , it did not observed any change in the cell viability, proliferation, wound healing or proinflammatory cytokine production, but there was a dose dependent-reduction in ROS generation. In conclusion, HF extract exhibits anti-hyaluronidase activity, antimicrobial properties, and reduces ROS production. These observations may partly justify the use of HF in supporting wound healing.