Arnica montana effects on gene expression in a human macrophage cell line. Evaluation by quantitative Real-Time PCR.

A possible action of Arnica montana in the mechanisms of the wound-healing process that occurs in dermis and epidermis tissues after an injury. The wound healing process is initiated by the integration of multiple intercellular signals (cytokines and chemokines) released by different kind of cells including macrophages. In this framework the genes for the chemokines CXCL1, CXCL2 and IL8 all were up-regulated by Arnica dilutions in our model of IL-4 treated macrophages. These factors recruit the neutrophils, useful in the process of debris phagocytosis and bacteria killing. A further important role of chemokines is their angiogenic activity through engagement of the common receptor CXCR2.