Constituents of the leaves and twigs of Elaeagnus umbellata and their proliferative effects on human keratinocyte HaCaT cells

Bioassay-guided fractionation of an extract of leaves and twigs of Elaeagnus umbellata led to the isolation of a serotonin derivative, N-[2-(5-hydroxyl-1H-indol-3-yl)ethyl]-butanamide (1), along with six flavonoid glycosides, kaempferol-3-O-β-D-xylopyranosyl(1 → 2)-β-D-galactopyranoside-7-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (2), kaempferol-3-O-β-D-galactopyranoside-7-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (3), kaempferol-3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1 → 6)-β-D-galactopyranoside-7-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (4), kaempferol-3-O-β-D-xylopyranosyl(1 → 2)-β-D-galactopyranoside (5), kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside (6), and kaempferol-3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl(1 → 2)-β-D-galactopyranoside-7-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (7). Their structures were elucidated using 1D/2D nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Compounds 1–6 were evaluated for their proliferative effects on HaCaT keratinocytes; 1–5 promoted keratinocyte proliferation dose dependently. Compounds 3 and 4 showed potent activities. These results suggest that the leaves and twigs of E. umbellata have wound healing and skin cell regeneration potentials.