Regenerative Effects of Scrophularia Striata and Adipose Tissue–Derived Stem Cells on Dental Pulp Tissue: An Animal Model

Introduction: This study aimed to determine the effects of Scrophularia striata and adipose tissue–derived stem cells on the expression of Kruppel-like factor ۴ (KLF۴), monocyte chemoattractant protein-۱, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor genes during pulp tissue regeneration.Methods: The methanolic extract of Scrophularia striata was prepared by maceration (Scro). Adipose tissue was harvested from the bilateral inguinal region of rats that did not undergo surgery, and adipose-derived stem cells (SC) were isolated and characterized. Pulp inflammation was induced in the rats, and pulpectomy was performed at the end of the second week. After placement of a triple-antibiotic paste for ۲ weeks, regenerative treatment with drugs and materials was performed. The teeth were randomly divided into four groups (n = ۴/group): (۱) control (blood clot only), (۲) Scrophularia alone (Scro), (۳) stem cells alone (SC), and (۴) Scrophularia + stem cells (SC+Scro). One to four weeks after tooth filling, the dental pulp was harvested from the animals. Real-time PCR was used to measure the expression levels of KLF۴, MCP-۱, and BDNF genes.Results: The highest level of KLF۴ expression was observed in the SC group (P = ۰.۰۰۱), which was significantly reduced in the SC+Scro group compared with the SC group (P = ۰.۰۰۱). Injection of Scro significantly decreased MCP-۱ gene expression compared with the control group (P = ۰.۰۰۱). Injection of Scro, SC, and SC+Scro significantly increased BDNF gene expression compared with the control group (P = ۰.۰۰۱). The highest BDNF expression was observed in the Scro group (P = ۰.۰۰۱), which was significantly reduced in the SC+Scro group compared with the Scro and SC groups (P = ۰.۰۰۱).Conclusion: Application of the Scro extract increased the expression of KLF۴ and BDNF genes and decreased MCP-۱ expression. Application of the Scro+SC combination increased the expression of KLF۴, BDNF, and MCP-۱ genes.

کلیدواژه ها:

Scrophularia striata ، adipose tissue&ndash ، derived stem cells ، pulp tissue regeneration