Abstract
Objective
To investigate the effects of the flavonoid, puerarin, on osteogenic
differentiation of human periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs).
Methods
Human PDLSCs were isolated from patients undergoing orthodontic treatment,
and the cell surface markers CD146, CD34, CD45, and STRO-1 were identified
by immunofluorescence. Cell proliferation was detected by MTT assay;
alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was measured, and calcium deposition was
detected by alizarin red staining. PCR was then used to detect the
distributions of COL-I, OPN,
Runx2, and OCN, genes related to
osteogenic differentiation.
Results
Staining was positive for cytokines CD146, CD34, CD45, and STRO-1 in the
experimental group; staining was also positive for silk protein, but
negative for keratin. After 7 days of culture, exposure to puerarin
significantly promoted the level of intracellular ALP; increased puerarin
concentration led to increased intracellular ALP. Red mineralized nodules
appeared upon exposure to puerarin and the number of nodules was
concentration-dependent. PCR analysis revealed that COL-I,
OPN, Runx2, and OCN
expression levels increased as puerarin concentration increased.
Conclusions
Exposure to puerarin can promote proliferation and ALP activity in human
PDLSCs, thus promoting both molecular and osteogenic differentiation; these
findings may provide a theoretical basis for the clinical treatment of
periodontal disease with puerarin.
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