Wound healing activity of Ullucus tuberosus, an Andean tuber crop

Objective: This study was designed to investigate the wound healing activity of aqueous extracts of Ullucus tuberosus (U. tuberosus) using in vitro models. Methods: Lyophilized pulp and acetone extracts of U. tuberosus were produced using ultrasound extraction. The capacity for collagenase activation was evaluated using fluo-rescence detection of the enzymatic activity. Then, the influence of U. tuberosus extracts on cell proliferation, cell migration and synthesis of the extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, metalloproteinase (MMP-1) and pro-collagen was analyzed using human dermal fibroblasts in culture. Results: An increase in collagenase activity of 12%supports the utility of U. tuberosus as an agent for scar treatment. In addition, the extracts showed an increase in the pro-liferation and migration of human dermal fibroblasts and the production of pro-collagen and MMP-1 after treatment with U. tuberosus extracts. The increase in proliferation, migration and pro-collagen levels positively influenced the regeneration of scarless tissue during the proliferation phase, whereas the increase in MMP-1 may have favored the wound healing process during the remodeling and cellular differentiation phases. Conclusion: The results of this study show for first time that U. tuberosus is a promising candidate to support scarless tissue regeneration.

Colombian biodiversity, an opportunity for the strengthening of the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries / La biodiversidad colombiana, una oportunidad para el fortalecimiento de las industrias farmacéutica y cosmética

Colombia, a country privileged by nature, where diversity of climates are created by large altitude gradients which generate a variety of ecosystems and beautiful badlands, punas, mountain forests, dry valleys, high deserts and salt flats; landscapes that have diversity of plants and animals and we are cataloged as one of the countries as the greatest diversity in the world, preceded by Brazil and followed by Indonesia, China and Mexico [1]. We have 28.000 plants and lichens; it is an invaluable heritage that can give to our country competitive advantages in the discovery and development of active ingredients for the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry by sustainable use of our biodiversity.