Chitin from the Extract of Cuttlebone Induces Acute Inflammation and Enhances MMP1 Expression

We previously reported that the extract from cuttlebone (CB) has wound healing effect in burned lesion of rat. In present study, the main component of CB extract was analyzed and its wound healing activity was evaluated by using in vitro acute inflammation model. The extract of CB stimulated macrophages to increase the production of TNF-α. The extract also enhanced the production of TGF-β and VEGF, which were involved in angiogenesis and fibroblast activation. The treatment with CB extract enhanced proliferation of murine fibroblast. CB extract also induced the activation of fibroblast to increase the secretion of matrix metalloproteases 1 (MMP1). The constituent of CB extract which has wound healing activity was identified as chitin by HPLC analysis. The mechanism that the CB extract helps to promote healing of burned lesion is associated with that chitin in CB extracts stimulated wound skins to induce acute inflammation and to promoted cell proliferation and MMP expression in fibroblast. Our results suggest that CB or chitin can be a new candidate material for the treatment of skin wound such as ulcer and burn.