LAUSR

BACKGROUND: Keloid is a benign fibroproliferative dermis tumor characterized by an increase in growth factors which induce fibroblast proliferation, excessive migration, and synthesis of collagen. Nerium indicum Mill. extract had been studied as a keloid therapy agent. 5α-oleandrin contained in N. indicum has antikeloid activity by inhibiting keloid fibroblast proliferation, fibroblast migration, collagen deposition, and transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-β1) synthesis. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the effect of administration of N. indicum extract on TGF-β1 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in keloid fibroblast. METHODS: This research was a quasi-experimental research with a post-test only control group design. The research subjects were fibroblast cells passage IV-VII isolated from patients’ keloid tissue with explant techniques. Treatment groups received N. indicum extract with a serial concentration of 2 μg/ml, 1 μg/ml, and 0.5 μg/ml, and control group received medium only. The supernatant was obtained after 72 h incubation period. Examination of TGF-β1 and VEGF expressions was performed using ELISA procedure. RESULT: The expression of TGF-β1 in the treatment groups of the extract N. indicum (2 μg/ml, 1 μg/ml, and 0.5 μg/ml) was significantly lower than a control group of keloid fibroblasts (p < 0.05), according to increased concentration. VEGF expression in the treatment groups of N. indicum extract was lower compared to the control group of keloid fibroblasts. A significant decrease in keloid fibroblast VEGF levels occurred at extract concentrations of 2 μg/ml and 1 μg/ml (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: N. indicum extract could decrease TGF-β1 and VEGF expressions compared to control medium in keloid fibroblast cultures.