Phytochemicals of Callisia fragrans exhibit significant antimicrobial, pro-wound-healing, and anti-inflammatory properties

Background: Callisia fragrans is a known plant in folk medicine but poorly explored from a scientific perspective. Purpose: The aims of this research were to identify the major phytochemicals of this plant, and to investigate them with regards to antimicrobial, pro-wound healing, and anti-inflammatory properties. Methods: Liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS), and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were used for phytochemical analysis; antimicrobial activity studies included estimation of eradication of the drug-resistant microorganisms and biofilm formation; human dermal fibroblasts were applied for research of pro-wound healing (WH) and anti-inflammatory properties. For bioinformatical assessment, we selected the STITCH database found at http://stitch.embl.de/. Results: Seven phytochemical constituents: quinic acid, chlorogenic acid, 4-O-caffeoylquinic acid, 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid, rosmarinic acid, quercetin 3-O-rutinoside and farrerol were successfully identified. The crude extract and quinic acid, chlorogenic acid, 4-O-caffeoylquinic acid, 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid, rosmarinic acid and farrerol were found to exhibit significant antimicrobial effect against antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Serratia marcescens and S. enteritidis. The extract and some phytochemicals of C. fragrans inhibited the growth of biofilm-producing bacterium, while the effect of the extract was greater than that of the positive control streptomycin. The extract, chlorogenic acid and rosmarinic acid significantly enhanced wound healing in the scratch assay (p<0.001). Finally, the extract and identified phytoconstituents exhibited significant anti-inflammatory effects mediated by reduced secretion of IL-6 and IL-8 cytokines in human dermal fibroblasts. Conclusions: This research revealed convincing and promising indications of significant therapeutic potential of C. fragrans extract and its active phytochemicals.