Xanthium strumarium seed extract boosts osteogenesis in human dental pulp stem cell model

In traditional medicine, Xanthium strumarium is used as an anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic plant-based medicine. Human Dental Pulp Stem Cells (hDPSCs) are an ideal in vitro model for drug and bioactive compound screening. This study assessed the potential of X. strumarium aqueous extract on hDPSCs differentiation towards the osteogenic lineage.

HDPSCs were isolated and cultured by explant method and characterized by surface marker expression, Colony Forming units fibroblasts (CFU-F), Population Doubling time (PDT), and tri-lineage differentiation. X. strumarium aqueous seed extract (XSE) was prepared and its cytotoxic effect on hDPSCs was examined by MTT assay. The effect of XSE on hDPSC differentiation into osteocytes was investigated by biochemical staining and gene expression.

The hDPSCs were positive for CD73, CD90, and CD105 and negative for CD34, CD45, and HLA-DR surface markers. The cells had a colony-forming ability with a PDT of 44.91 h. The hDPSCs differentiated into osteocytes, chondrocytes, and adipocytes. The XSE concentration of 15 μg/ml had a significant increase in hDPSC viability. Alizarin Red S staining revealed that XSE treatment enhanced calcium accumulation and matrix mineralization in hDPSCs. XSE treatment also increased osteonectin and IL-6 transcript expression in osteogenesis-induced hDPSCs.

X. strumarium aqueous extract is a suitable candidate for bone repair because it promotes osteogenic differentiation in hDPSCs. Therefore this could be explored further in the treatment of bone disorders.