Influence of Curcumin Nanocrystals on the Early Osteogenic Differentiation and Proliferation of Dental Pulp Stem Cells

Regenerative therapies are the developed method for regrowing, repairing, or exchanging damaged or diseased cells, tissues, or organs. Bone injury regeneration is a complicated procedure. For this reason, stimulation of the osteogenic differentiation impact on mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is a critical method. The goal of the current study was to test the biocompatibility and induction of early osteogenic differentiation by curcumin nanocrystals in human dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) which are MSCs derived from dental pulp. In this study, curcumin nanocrystals were produced through the spray-drying technique and then were characterized using conventional methods. Then, cytotoxicity and proliferative properties of curcumin nanocrystals were evaluated in different concentrations at 48 hours, 72 hours, and 7 days which were measured by the MTT test, and a special kit was used to determine the activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP). The results of this study displayed that the prepared nanocurcumin with the mean particle size of 128 nm, spherical morphology, and the negative surface charge did not show a toxic effect on dental pulp cells in most concentrations for 48 and 72 hours and was toxic only at a concentration of 25 mu M. Also, comparing the toxicity of different doses at 7 days showed that at concentrations of 2.5, 5, 10, and 25 mu M, cell growth was significantly inhibited. ALP activity was increased in two weeks compared to one week and also compared to that of the control group significantly (p < 0.05). Considering the positive possessions of nanocurcumin on the osteogenic differentiation of DPSCs and its low toxicity, this substance can be considered in the planning of regenerative protocols.

Automated summary

This study aimed to test the biocompatibility and induction of early osteogenic differentiation by curcumin nanocrystals in human dental pulp stem cells. The results showed that the prepared curcumin nanocrystals were non-toxic to dental pulp cells in most concentrations and promoted osteogenic differentiation. Therefore, curcumin nanocrystals have the potential to be used in regenerative therapy protocols.