Exploring herbal preconditioning strategies to improve adipose tissue stem cell therapy efficacy

The application of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), specifically those sourced from adipose tissue, has become a focal point in regenerative medicine, showing potential for effective cell therapy. Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) offer hope in treating various conditions, yet their viability and integration rates are hindered by the harsh post-transplantation environment marked by inflammation and oxidative stress at the injury site. Lawsonia inermis (henna), Zizyphus spina-christi (Christ's Thorn), and Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) are three plants known for their potent antioxidant properties primarily due to their rich content of phenolic compounds and flavonoids. Their potential health benefits make them valuable in both traditional medicine and modern therapeutic applications.

This research delves into investigating and contrasting the effects of hydroalcoholic extracts from Lawsonia inermis, Zizyphus spina-christi, and Glycyrrhiza glabra on human adipose tissue stem cells as a pre-conditioning method to alleviate oxidative stress in cell therapy. ASCs were isolated from the pelvic cavity and abdomen, characterized using flow cytometry, and prompted to differentiate into adipogenic and osteogenic lineages. They were then subjected to different concentrations of the aforementioned herbal extracts at varying time frames, followed by MIC and MTT analysis. The MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay and the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) assay are both used to evaluate the effects of substances on cell viability and cell growth receptively. RNA extraction from ASCs and evaluation of antioxidant gene expression were conducted via Real-time PCR. Flow cytometry data confirmed the presence of MSC markers in the isolated cells from ASCs. Analysis of the herbal extract concentrations revealed that 50 ng/ml had a toxic effect on ASCs, establishing a toxicity reference point for adipose-derived MSCs. Real-time PCR results showcased a notable increase in the expression of antioxidant genes post-preconditioning with hydroalcoholic extracts. This study underscores, for the first time, the safety and lack of toxicity of preconditioning with these extracts for h.ASCs, enhancing their resilience and acclimatization under oxidative stress conditions, potentially boosting the therapeutic potential of h.ASCs. The antioxidant properties of Lawsonia inermis, Zizyphus spina-christi, and Glycyrrhiza glabra may enhance the expression of antioxidant genes (Sod, Gpx and Cata) through several mechanisms, including the activation of transcription factors like Nrf2 (Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2), which regulates antioxidant gene expression; modulation of signaling pathways such as MAPK (Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase) and PI3K/Akt (Phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Protein Kinase B); and influencing epigenetic modifications like histone changes or DNA methylation that can alter gene expression. However, further research is necessary to clarify the specific mechanisms by which these plant extracts enhance antioxidant gene expression and to explore their potential therapeutic applications in combating oxidative stress-related diseases. Future proposals should consider more gene investigation and in vivo applications, as well as the long-term effects of pre-conditioning.