• Study of the Effect of Green Algae Extract on the Propagation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Electrospun Nanocomposite Scaffold
  • Maria Zahiri,1,* Iman Hemmat- Jou,2 Zahra Akbari,3 Mehdi Mohammadi,4
    1. 1. The Persian Gulf Marine Biotechnology Research Center, The Persian Gulf Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran 2. Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
    2. Student Research Committee, Bushehr University Of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
    3. Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran.
    4. 1. Department of Marine Biotechnology and Environment, Persian Gulf Research and studies center, Persian Gulf University, Bushehr, Iran, 2-Algae Research Development Co., Persian Gulf St. Bushehr, Iran


  • Introduction: Nanocomposite electrospun fibers containing bioactive molecules, which offer the ability to deliver the cells into the damaged organs, will help to achieve a high therapeutic effect and enable a wide range of manipulations in the field of reconstructive medicine research. In this study, Alcoholic extract of blue algae afanizomenon flus-aqua (AFA) was used to improve the performance of electrospun polycaplactone (PCL) and gelatin (gel) scaffolds to enhance the survival and proliferation of human mesenchymal stem cells.
  • Methods: For this purpose, polycaprolactone / gelatin nanocomposite porous scaffolds were prepared using electrospinning method. The constructs were characterized for structural, mechanical and biochemical properties. The nature of human mesenchymal stem cells was confirmed by bone differentiation and flow cytometric analysis. Four culture groups: Two groups without scaffold ( to investigate the effect of extract alone) and two culture groups on scaffold (to investigate the synergistic effect of AFA extract on scaffold ) were designed. Electron microscope images were used to examine cell attachment on designed scaffold. Cell viability and proliferation in each groups were determined by MTT assay.
  • Results: The results showed that the biocompatibility and biodegradability of the scaffold with good structural properties such as shape uniformity, pore size and porosity. After 72 hours of culture, the rate of cell attachment and proliferation was significantly higher in the scaffolding groups than others (P <0.05). In alcoholic extract groups, the rate of survival and cell proliferation after 72 hours of culture increased significantly (P <0.05).
  • Conclusion: In term of the capability of natural nanocomposite scaffold and hMSCs in cytocompatibility analysis, this novel tissue-engineered construct could be suggested as a body substitute to repair injured organs and regenerative medicine application.
  • Keywords: : Mesenchymal stem cells, nanocomposite, electrospinning, poly caprolacton, Gelatin, Natural compoun