Potential of binahong (Anredera cordifolia (Ten.) Steenis) leaf extract as a wound healing agent that inhibits matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) using in silico and stimulates NIH-3T3 cell proliferation by in vitro assay

Abstract

The wound healing process goes through a complex mechanism and takes a long time. Based on empirical experience, binahong leaves (Anredera cordifolia (Ten.) Steenis) heal fresh wounds. This study aims to determine the potential of binahong extract as an active ingredient for wound healing through in silico and in vitro testing. Extraction of the leaves using the ultrasonication method with several different solvents: ethyl acetate–ethanol and aqueous ethanol with a definite ratio. Based on UHPLC-HRMS analysis, the 96% ethanol extract identified 187 compounds, the 70% ethanol extract 153 compounds, the 50% ethanol extract 105 compounds, and the ethyl acetate extract 110 compounds. In silico study showed that the trans-3-indole acrylic acid compound with MMP1 produces a binding energy of -8.0 kcal/mol, while the MMP1 native ligand produces -9.5 kcal/mol. The gluconic acid compound with MMP12 produces a binding energy of -4.3 kcal/mol, while for the native ligand, MMP12 produces -3.4 kcal/mol. Both compounds were identified in Anredera cordifolia (Ten.) Steenis extract with a 70% ethanol solvent. An in vitro assay was conducted using a fibroblast cell proliferation assay over 24, 48, and 72 hours using the MTT method. Extract with 70% ethanol in the 24-hour incubation period significantly increased cell proliferation, but in the 48- and 72-hour incubation periods, it tended to be stable. 70% ethanol of Anredera cordifolia (Ten.) Steenis at 8 μg/mL–200 μg/mL concentrations can significantly increase cell proliferation compared to extracts with other solvents. These results indicate that the 70% ethanol extract of Anredera cordifolia (Ten.) Steenis has the best activity to accelerate the proliferation process, which can be the initial step to repair the wound. This study revealed that 70% ethanol of Anredera cordifolia (Ten.) Steenis is potent as a wound-healing agent.