{"title":"A Hydrogel Scaffold Incorporating Fennel Seed Extract Induces Osteogenic Differentiation in Mesenchymal Stem Cells.","authors":"Kosar Heidari, Tayebeh Mohammadi, Leila Soltani, Mehrdad PooyanMehr","doi":"10.1002/vms3.70460","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Tissue engineering utilizing hydrogels and scaffolds composed of organic and synthetic materials has emerged as a promising approach for bone repair. Chitosan, a biocompatible natural polymer, supports bone healing and possesses antibacterial and antioxidant properties. Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), known for its traditional use in treating osteoporosis in females, exhibits phytoestrogenic properties.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This study investigated the osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) cultured within chitosan hydrogels incorporating fennel seed extract.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) were employed to characterize the chitosan films containing fennel extract. MSCs were isolated from ovine foetal bone marrow and subjected to various concentrations of fennel hydroalcoholic extract and hydrogels containing these extracts. Cell viability was assessed using the MTT assay. Following osteoblast differentiation, gene expression of osteogenic markers (ALP, Runx2 and COL1A1) was evaluated using real-time PCR, alongside assessments of calcium deposition, alkaline phosphatase activity and ALP expression. Alizarin red staining was performed to quantify mineralized matrix deposition.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The MTT assay revealed that the 0.5% extract treatment group significantly enhanced MSC proliferation. Notably, MSCs cultured on the chitosan film containing 1% fennel extract demonstrated increased numbers of hydroxyapatite deposits, elevated ALP activity and calcium content and upregulated expression of osteogenic genes (ALP, Runx2 and COL1A1). Acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining confirmed the non-toxicity of the extract in all treatment groups.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>These findings demonstrate that chitosan hydrogels incorporating fennel seed extract can effectively induce osteogenic differentiation of MSCs, highlighting their potential as a promising strategy for bone tissue regeneration.</p>","PeriodicalId":23543,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary Medicine and Science","volume":"11 4","pages":"e70460"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7000,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12244263/pdf/","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Veterinary Medicine and Science","FirstCategoryId":"97","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.70460","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"VETERINARY SCIENCES","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background: Tissue engineering utilizing hydrogels and scaffolds composed of organic and synthetic materials has emerged as a promising approach for bone repair. Chitosan, a biocompatible natural polymer, supports bone healing and possesses antibacterial and antioxidant properties. Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), known for its traditional use in treating osteoporosis in females, exhibits phytoestrogenic properties.
Objectives: This study investigated the osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) cultured within chitosan hydrogels incorporating fennel seed extract.
Methods: Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) were employed to characterize the chitosan films containing fennel extract. MSCs were isolated from ovine foetal bone marrow and subjected to various concentrations of fennel hydroalcoholic extract and hydrogels containing these extracts. Cell viability was assessed using the MTT assay. Following osteoblast differentiation, gene expression of osteogenic markers (ALP, Runx2 and COL1A1) was evaluated using real-time PCR, alongside assessments of calcium deposition, alkaline phosphatase activity and ALP expression. Alizarin red staining was performed to quantify mineralized matrix deposition.
Results: The MTT assay revealed that the 0.5% extract treatment group significantly enhanced MSC proliferation. Notably, MSCs cultured on the chitosan film containing 1% fennel extract demonstrated increased numbers of hydroxyapatite deposits, elevated ALP activity and calcium content and upregulated expression of osteogenic genes (ALP, Runx2 and COL1A1). Acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining confirmed the non-toxicity of the extract in all treatment groups.
Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that chitosan hydrogels incorporating fennel seed extract can effectively induce osteogenic differentiation of MSCs, highlighting their potential as a promising strategy for bone tissue regeneration.
期刊介绍:
Veterinary Medicine and Science is the peer-reviewed journal for rapid dissemination of research in all areas of veterinary medicine and science. The journal aims to serve the research community by providing a vehicle for authors wishing to publish interesting and high quality work in both fundamental and clinical veterinary medicine and science.
Veterinary Medicine and Science publishes original research articles, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and research methods papers, along with invited editorials and commentaries. Original research papers must report well-conducted research with conclusions supported by the data presented in the paper.
We aim to be a truly global forum for high-quality research in veterinary medicine and science, and believe that the best research should be published and made widely accessible as quickly as possible. Veterinary Medicine and Science publishes papers submitted directly to the journal and those referred from a select group of prestigious journals published by Wiley-Blackwell.
Veterinary Medicine and Science is a Wiley Open Access journal, one of a new series of peer-reviewed titles publishing quality research with speed and efficiency. For further information visit the Wiley Open Access website.