Astragalus mongholicus-induced differentiation of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells / 中国组织工程研究

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Extract of astragalus mongholicus has good effects on antioxidization and oxygen free radical scavenge. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) have multiple directional differentiation potential and superiority of autologous transplantation. This can provide a new way for treating neurodegenerative diseases.OBJECTIVE: To explore the differentiation of BMSCs of rats following astragalus mongholicus induction.DESIGN: A cytological in vitro study.MATERIALS One clean male rats aged 6 weeks were purchased from Experimental Animal Center of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. Astragalus mongholicus injection (lot number 060105) were obtained from Dali Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.METHODS: Rat BMSCs were in vitro isolated, cultured and purified by the whole bone marrow method. At the fourth passage, BMSCs at a density of 4×10<'8>/L were incubated in 12-well plate with a coverslip. After 80% 90% cells were confluent, the medium was changed. BMSCs were then incubated in DMEM, supplemented with 200 g/L astragalus mongholicus injection and 15% fetal bovine serum, for 6 days. BMSCs in the control group were not treated with astragalus mongholicus injection.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Morphological changes in BMSCs were observed under the inverted microscope before and after induct.ion. Expression of specific markers was determined by immunocytochemical staining following induction.RESULTS: Primary cultured BMSCs were round. At the fourth passage, BMSCs were spindle. BMSCs after induction showed processes, which became more with prolonged time. Some processes were branch-shaped, forming a network structure. Results of immunocytochemical staining demonstrated that many cells were positive for nestin, neuron specific enolase and glial fibrillary acidic protein on day 3, and abundant cells were positive for microtubule-associated protein-2 on day 6.CONCLUSION: Astragalus mongholicus induces differentiation of BMSCs into neural stem cells, and then promotes the differentiation into neurons or glial cells, and makes differentiated cells mature and aging.