TITLE:
In Vitro Effects of the Phytocomplex TrichoTechTM on Human Fibroblasts: Proliferative Potential and Effects on Gene Expression of FGF-7 and FGF-10
AUTHORS:
Fernando Amaral, Maira Jardim, Valeria Maria de Souza Antunes, Luis Felipe Gomes Michelin, Bárbara Anaís Rodrigues dos Santos, Christiano Marcelo Vaz Barbosa, Daniel Gonsales Spindola, Claudia Bincoletto, Carlos Rocha Oliveira
KEYWORDS:
TrichoTechTM, Fibroblasts, Proliferation, FGF-7, FGF-10
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Cosmetics, Dermatological Sciences and Applications,
Vol.7 No.1,
January
19,
2017
ABSTRACT: The human hair follicle, a mini-organ formed with neuroectodermal-meso-dermal interaction, is a complex structure, in the active steady state (anagen) the dermal papilla can be considered as a ball of extracellular matrix, surrounding specialized fibroblasts. The cross-talk of dermal papilla with neighbouring matrix cells results in the maintenance of hair fibre production. This study aimed to investigate the proliferative potential of the compound TrichotechTM, a phytocomplex obtained from a mixture of essential oils, on cultured human fibroblasts and its ability to modulate the gene expression of FGF-7 and FGF-10. TrichotechTM was shown to enhance fibroblasts proliferation in concentrations of 0.5% to 2.0%, and also increase the percentage of cells in the S/G2/M phases of the cell cycle. TrichotechTM at both 1.0% and 2.0% induced a statistically significant effect on wound healing assay compared to the untreated control. We examined the interaction between cell survival (PI3K/Akt) and mitogenic (Ras/MAPK) signal transduction pathways after TrichotechTM treatment (1.0% and 2.0%) on the fibroblast cell line. TrichotechTM caused phosphorylation of ERK1/2, as well as greater phosphorylation of MEK in comparison with both the untreated control and ERK1/2. PI3K and AKT, however, were not shown to be significantly more phosphorylated following TrichotechTM exposure. To verify the relative expression of mRNA for FGF-7 and FGF-10 genes, a real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) protocol was used. Results show the increase in mRNA expression by fibroblasts after treatment with TrichotechTM. In both concentrations tested, TrichotechTM was found to increase the expression of FGF-7 and FGF-10. Sirius red staining allows for rapid assessment of collagen content, it showed a significant increase in collagen content in treated fibroblasts. Further investigation concerning TrichotechTM could be helpful towards the development of new bioactive phytocomplexes for dermatological and trichological use.