Effect of several natural extracts on differentiation and proliferation of human dental stem cells

Abstract

Human dental stem cells(hDSCs) have been highlighted as a potential bio-engineering medium for tooth restoration in case of teeth loss caused by dental caries, or periodontal disease, as a potential alternative to dentures and implants. Various effects of the three types of natural extracts(Pine needle, Lycii fructus, and Achyranthis radix) have been studied, but their effects on differentiation and proliferation of hDSCs remain unknown. In this study, we investigated their effects on differentiation and proliferation of hDSCs (PDLSCs and DPSCs). PDLSCs and DPSCs were selected as hDSCs. Pine needle, Lycii fructus, and Achyranthis radix were prepared and were treated on PDLSCs and DPSCs. Flow cytometry analysis was performed to characterize hDSCs. The proliferation of hDSCs was measured by MTT assay at 0, 24, 48, 72, and 120 hours and the mineralization of hDSCs was measured by ALP staining at 7 and 14 days, and Alizarin red S staining at 3, 4, and 5 weeks. Gene expression patterns were analyzed by using the RT-PCR method. An experimental group treated with specified three natural extracts showed significant promotion of hDSCs proliferation in PDLSCs and DPSCs. The results of ALP and Alizarin red S staining showed that all the three natural extracts induced increased mineralization differentiation of hDSCs in PDLSCs. The difference between the control and experimental groups was the most significant in experimental group of Lycii fructus. The results of RT-PCR also supported the effect of three natural extracts on mineralization differentiation of hDSCs. In conclusion, the effect of several natural extracts on hDSCs was that three natural extracts promoted the mineralization differentiation in PDLSCs, and the mineralization differentiation was promoted by Lycii fructus, Achyranthis radix, and Pine needle extract in order.