ABSTRACT
AIM: Simvastatin has emerged as having a promising role in controlling stem cell behaviours. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of simvastatin on the viability, growth, and migration of stem cells isolated from apical papillae (SCAPs) in vitro. METHODS: SCAPs were isolated and characterised. The viability and proliferation were assessed using live/dead and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays, respectively. Cell migration was evaluated using scratch assays. Cell cycle progression and apoptosis were examined using flow cytometry analysis. RESULTS: Simvastatin at a concentration of 100 to 1000 nM did not exhibit cytotoxicity. Simvastatin reduced cell numbers at days 3 and 7. In addition, simvastatin markedly decreased colony formation in both colony number and cell density in a dose-dependent manner. An increase in apoptosis was observed at day 7. There was statistically significant increased in sub G0 population. An in vitro cell migration was attenuated in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSION: Simvastatin affects SCAPs' viability, proliferation, and cell migration. The reduction of cell viability at day 7 could be due to apoptotic induction.