Effects of noni on cellular viability and osteogenic differentiation of gingiva-derived stem cells demonstrated by RNA sequencing and quantitative PCR

Anticancer and chemopreventive potential of Morinda citrifolia L. bioactive compounds: A comprehensive update

Morinda citrifolia L., commonly known as Noni, has a longstanding history in traditional medicine for treating various diseases. Recently, there has been an increased focus on exploring Noni extracts and phytoconstituents, particularly for their effectiveness against cancers such as lung, esophageal, liver, and breast cancer, and their potential in cancer chemoprevention. This study aims to provide a comprehensive review of in vitro and in vivo studies assessing Noni's impact on cancer, alongside an exploration of its bioactive compounds. A systematic review was conducted, encompassing a wide range of scientific databases to gather pertinent literature. This review focused on in vitro and in vivo studies, as well as clinical trials that explore the effects of Noni fruit and its phytoconstituents-including anthraquinones, flavonoids, sugar derivatives, and neolignans-on cancer. The search was meticulously structured around specific keywords and criteria to ensure a thorough analysis. The compiled studies highlight Noni's multifaceted role in cancer therapy, showcasing its various bioactive components and their modes of action. This includes mechanisms such as apoptosis induction, cell cycle arrest, antiangiogenesis, and immune system modulation, demonstrating significant anticancer and chemopreventive potential. The findings reinforce Noni's potential as a safe and effective option in cancer prevention and treatment. This review underscores the need for further research into Noni's anticancer properties, with the hope of stimulating additional studies and clinical trials to validate and expand upon these promising findings.

Evaluation of Antioxidant Effects of Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) Seed Extract on Aging- and Menopause-Related Diseases Using Saos-2 Cells and Ovariectomized Rats

Aging and menopause are associated with oxidative stress and inflammation. Here, we evaluated the antioxidant properties of pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) seed extract and assessed its ameliorative effects on aging- and menopause-related diseases using Saos-2 cells and ovariectomized rats. The seed extract had bioactive components that exhibited antioxidant activity. The extract increased the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity of Saos-2 cells. The oral administration of the extract to ovariectomized rats for 12 weeks decreased their body weight, fat weight, and cardiac risk indices. It also contributed to reductions in the levels of reactive oxygen species, oxidative stress, and inflammation, as assessed by measuring the serum levels of malondialdehyde and analyzing gene expression in rats. Furthermore, the administration of the extract also promoted an enhancement of the transcription of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (Ho-1), and catalase (Cat), involved in antioxidant activity; endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNos), involved in vasculoprotective activity; and PR/SET domain 16 (Prdm16) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator (Pgc1α), involved in brown adipogenesis and thermogenesis. Our results using ovariectomized rats show that pumpkin seed extract may have ameliorative effects on menopause-related diseases by increasing ALP activity, evaluating the antioxidant system, ameliorating oxidative stress and thermogenesis, and enhancing lipid profiles.

Vitamin E Enhances Cell Viability and the Osteogenic Differentiation of Cell Spheroids Made of Gingiva-Derived Stem Cells

Background and Objectives: Vitamin E is reported to expedite new bone formation in animal models, and this has led to a decrease in the time needed for treatment. In this study, human gingiva-derived stem cell-derived spheroids were examined to determine the effects of vitamin E on cell survival, osteogenic differentiation, and mineralization. Materials and Methods: Human gingiva-derived stem cells were used to create spheroids, which were then cultivated with vitamin E at doses of 0, 0.1, 1, 10, and 100 ng/mL. The morphological examination and the qualitative and quantitative vitality of the cells were assessed. Alizarin Red S staining and alkaline phosphatase activity assays were performed on days 7 and 14 to evaluate the osteogenic differentiation. The expression levels of RUNX2 and COL1A1 were assessed using a real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: The addition of vitamin E did not appear to alter the spheroid's shape at the measured quantities without altering the diameter. During the culture time, the majority of the cells in the spheroids fluoresced green. Regardless of concentration, there were substantial increases in cell viability in the vitamin E-loaded groups on day 7 (p < 0.05). On day 14, the Alizarin Red S staining was statistically higher in the 1 ng/mL group compared to the unloaded control (p < 0.05). The addition of vitamin E to the culture enhanced the mRNA expression levels of RUNX2, OCN, and COL1A1 based on the real-time polymerase chain reaction data. Conclusions: We draw the conclusion that vitamin E may be used to promote the osteogenic differentiation of stem cell spheroids in light of these data.

Assessment of the Impacts of Centipeda minima (L.) on Cell Viability, and Osteogenic Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Spheroids

Background and Objectives: Centipeda minima (L.) is a well-known and traditional pharmaceutical that has been utilized to treat different conditions controlling rhinitis, soothe pain, and decrease swelling. We assessed the impacts of Centipeda minima (L.) extricates (CMTs) on the osteogenic differentiation of cell spheroids made of human-bone-marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells. Materials and Methods: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in spheroid 3D culture were generated and propagated in the presence of CMTs ranging from 0 to 1 μg/mL. Cell morphology was measured on Days 1, 3, 5, and 7. The quantitative cellular viability was evaluated on Days 1, 3, 5, and 7. Alkaline phosphatase activity assays were designed to measure the osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cell spheroids on Day 7. Alizarin Red S staining was performed to investigate the mineralization of cell spheroids on Days 7 and 14. Real-time polymerase chain reactions were used to measure the expression levels of RUNX2 and COL1A1 on Day 14. Western blot techniques were performed to identify the protein expression of Runt-related transcription factor 2 and type I collagen. Results: The control group’s mesenchymal stem cells displayed a spheroid shape. There was no noticeable change in morphology with the addition of CMTs at final concentrations of 0.001, 0.01, 0.1, and 1 μg/mL compared with the untreated (control) group. The application of CMTs did not induce a significant change in cell viability. The relative alkaline phosphatase activity values in the 0.001, 0.01, 0.1, and 1 μg/mL CMT groups were 114.4% ± 8.2%, 130.6% ± 25.3%, 87.8% ± 3.4%, and 92.1% ± 6.8%, respectively, considering a control of 100% (100.0% ± 17.9%). On Day 14, calcium deposits were clearly observed in each group. The relative values of Alizarin Red S staining in the 0.001, 0.01, 0.1, and 1 μg/mL CMT groups were 100.1% ± 8.9%, 105.9% ± 0.0%, 109.7% ± 19.1%, and 87.0% ± 40.9%, respectively, considering a control of 100% (100.0% ± 28.7%). The addition of CMT significantly increased RUNX2 expression in the 0.01 μg/mL group and COL1A1 in the 0.001 and 0.01 μg/mL groups. Normalization of protein expression showed that the addition of CMTs significantly increased type I collagen expression in the 0.001, 0.01, and 1 μg/mL groups. Conclusions: In conclusion, CMTs influence the osteogenic differentiation of bone-marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells and the use of CMTs may positively influence the osteogenic differentiation of cell spheroids.

The Effects of Transforming Growth Factor-β1 on the Differentiation of Cell Organoids Composed of Gingiva-Derived Stem Cells

This study was aimed at evaluating the effects of transforming growth factor-β on the differentiation and mRNA expression of organoids made out of human mesenchymal stem cells. Cell organoids composed of gingiva-derived stem cells were cultured in the presence of transforming growth factor-β1 at concentrations ranging from 0, 1, 10, to 20 ng/ml. Evaluations of the cell morphology of the organoids were performed on days 7, 9, 11, and 14. Quantitative cellular viability was completed on day 14. Alkaline phosphatase activity assays were performed to evaluate the differentiation of stem cells on day 14. Real-time polymerase chain reactions were used to determine the expression levels of TGF-β1, RUNX2, OCN, SOX9, and COL1A1 mRNA on day 14. The stem cells produced well-formed organoids on day 7, and the addition of transforming growth factor-β1 did not result in relevant changes in their shape. The organoids grew in size and became more intact with longer incubation times. On day 14, the diameters were 222.2 ± 9.6, 186.1 ± 4.8, 197.2 ± 9.6, and 211.1 ± 19.2 m for transforming growth factor-β1 at final concentrations of 0, 1, 10, and 20 ng/ml, respectively. Quantitative cell viability results from day 14 exhibited no significant difference between the groups (P > 0.05). There was significantly higher alkaline phosphatase activity with the addition of transforming growth factor-β1 with the highest value for the 1 ng/ml group (P < 0.05). Real-time polymerase chain reaction results demonstrated that the mRNA expression levels of RUNX2, OCN, and SOX were higher in 1 ng/ml but did not reach statistical significance. Treatment with 1 ng/ml of transforming growth factor-β1 significantly increased COL1A1 mRNA expression at day 14. The application of transforming growth factor-β1 increased differentiation, which was confirmed by alkaline phosphatase activity and mRNA expression while maintaining cell viability.