The effect of curcumin on the differentiation of dental pulp stem cells

The effect of curcumin on the differentiation of dental pulp stem cells
Simin Sharifi,^1,* Solmaz maleki Dizaj,² Mohammad Samiei,³ Atefeh Abedi,⁴
1. Dental and Periodontal Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
2. Dental and Periodontal Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
3. Faculty of Dentistry, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
4. Faculty of Dentistry, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
Introduction: Introduction: Tissue engineering and regenerative therapies are in progress in the treatment of dental problems, especially endodontics tratments. Induction of mineralization in dental pulp stem cells is of special importance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of curcumin on differentiation of DPSCs by alkaline phosphatase gene expression and activation assessment.
Methods: Materials and Methods: In this study was assessed the toxicity levels of different concentrations of curcumin in 1, 2, 3 and 7 days by MTT assay. Alkaline phosphatase gene expression was determinded by Real Time-PCR and a specific kit was used to determine the alkaline phosphatase activity. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software version 17. Statistical significance was determined using t-test and ANOVA.
Results: Results: The results of the present study showed that curcumin did not show toxicity at low concentrations (0.5 µM). Also, gene expression and alkaline phosphatase activity in cells treated with curcumin for 7 days showed a significant increase compared to the control group (p <0.05).
Conclusion: Conclusion: Considering the positive effects of curcumin on dental pulp stem cell differentiation and induction of alkaline phosphatase, this substance can be an intervention modality in bone and dental tissue engineering.
Keywords: Keywords: Dental pulp stem cell, Mineralization, Alkaline phosphatase, Curcumin, Gene expression