Naringenin potentiated β-sitosterol healing effect on the scratch wound assay

In the present investigation scratch wound assay was used to study the ability of several combinations of each flavonoid (chrysin, naringenin or resveratrol) with beta-sitosterol to heal wounds in vitro. MTT test was performed to determine if the combination of flavonoid with beta-sitosterol was toxic to fibroblasts or not. Also, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and interleukin-1 ss (IL-1 beta) concentrations were measured. The best closure rates were obtained with beta-sitosterol combined with naringenin and beta-sitosterol combined with resveratrol. The combination that produced the best closure rate namely beta-sitosterol with naringenin increased SOD activity significantly. However, this combination was not better than naringenin or beta-sitosterol alone in reducing IL-beta concentration. The results of MTT test indicated that the combination as well as beta-sitosterol alone or naringenin alone has no toxic effect on fibroblasts. In conclusion, the combination of beta-sitosterol and naringenin exerted a synergistic effect on wound closure without decreasing the viability of fibroblasts, increased antioxidant defense mechanism and decreased IL-beta.