Abstract: Objective To study the effect of Chinese traditional medicines on human hypertrophic scar fibroblasts in vitro,and determine their effective dosage.Methods Traditional Chinese medicines were cultured with human hypertrophic scar fibrob lasts(Fb)and normal dermal Fb,MTT colorimetric assay and cell growth curve were used to compare the influence of ethanol extracts fromChinese tradi tional medicines on the Fb growth activity and growth cycle.Results (1)Chinese gall markedly inhibited the proliferation of Fb derived from hyp ertrophic scar and normal skin,and was more effective on the former in a dose-dependent m anner(0～400μg/mL)during 72h of treatment.(2)The half inhibition concentration o f Chinese gall ethanol extract was 100μg/mL.The morphology of Fb did not change when its concentration was below 400μg/mL,as compared to colchicine(<50μg/mL).(3)Chinese gall at 50μg/mL concentration delayed and shortened the Log phase and extended the population doubling time (PDT)in cultured normal human and hypertr ophic scar skin Fb in a manner of time-dependent.Conclusions Chinese gall can inhibit the prolife ration of human fibroblasts derived fromhypertrophic scar and normal hu man skin.The dose-and time-dependent inhibi tion suggest that Chinese gall could be investigated as a novel potential therapeutic agent in treating abnormal dermal scarring.

Key words: Carthamus tinctorius, Galla chinensis, Scolopendra subspinipes, Cicatrix,hypertrophic, Fibroblasts