Epidermal Stem Cell in Wound Healing of Gliricidia sepium Leaves from Indonesia and the Philippines in Rats (Rattus norvegicus)

AIM: This study intended to investigate the regenerate wound, due to the ointment therapy containing Gliricidia sepium leaves that has potential-induced epidermal stem cells producing. It determined its effect on the expression of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), Smad-3, β-catenin, LGR-6. MATERIALS AND METHODS: About 16 Wistar male rats aged approximately 2 months (150–200g) were used and were divided into four treatment groups (T1, positive control; T2, negative control; T3, wounds treated with G. sepium from Indonesia; and T4, wounds treated with G. sepium from the Philippines). The treatment of ointment was applied to the wound for 3 days. The expression of TGF-β1, Smad-3, β-catenin, and LGR-6 was observed by immunohistochemistry staining. RESULTS: G. sepium leaves significantly (p < 0.05) upregulated the expression of TGF-β1, Smad-3, β-catenin, and LGR-6 in the group treated with Indonesian G. sepium leaves were higher than that in the group treated with G. sepium leaves from the Philippines. CONCLUSIONS: Both leaves Varian contain flavonoids, saponins, and tannins, which act as producing epidermal stem cell agents to enhance the wound healing process. It can be concluded that both Gl. sepium Varian Indonesia and the Philippines have a potential effect on wound healing.