Abstract

Background: The extracts from leaves, roots and petioles of Gunnera tinctoria have a reputed therapeutic effect as antitussive, urinary and circulatory remedy according to the Mapuche community. Objective: To evaluate the endothelial function in vitro, and the preliminary healing action in vivo of a methanol extract of G. tinctoria leaves. Methods: The role of the extract in the endothelial-dependent mechanism was determined using human umbilical vein endothelial cells. We also monitored the wound healing activity of the extract in rats on the fourth day of incision. Results: The methanol extract has a high polyphenol content of 516 mg gallic acid equivalent/g dry extract, being the main compounds ellagic acid and their derivatives. The incubation of endothelial cells with the extract did not cause apoptosis or disruption of the endothelial cell monolayer, meanwhile the extract decreased the apoptosis induced by high D-glucose and hydrogen peroxide. There was an increase in the number of fibroblasts and granulation tissue in the treated group with the extract. The formation of new blood vessels was also observed on treated wounds. Conclusion: This study provides scientific evidence on the ethnomedicinal use of G. tinctoria leaves in Chilean folk medicine. The extract improves the endothelial function and shows a potential wound healing activity.