Journal of Biotechnology & Biomaterials
Open Access

Abstract

Tissue engineering off ers a contemporary paradigm for periodontal tissue regeneration in which periodontal ligament stem cells and eff ective cellular growth factors are very essential. Th e objective of this study was, for the fi rst time, to investigate the capabilities and advantages of an herbal medicine, Morinda citrifolia leaf aqueous extract for induction of osteogenic diff erentiation and matrix mineralization of human periodontal ligament stem cells. Methods: Th e optimal biocompatible dose of Morinda citrifolia leaf aqueous extract was determined by a cell viability assay. Th e human periodontal ligament stem cells were cultured in complete medium, ascorbic acid together with -glycerophosphate or Morinda citrifolia leaf aqueous extract. Th e osteogenic cell diff erentiation marker, alkaline phosphatase activity, was assayed using a biochemical analysis. Matrix mineralization was examined aft er 6 weeks by calcium staining, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive x-ray analysis. Results: Morinda citrifolia leaf aqueous extract signifi cantly increased alkaline phosphatase activity in either complete medium or ascorbic acid together with -glycerophosphate. Nodules containing mineralized matrices were formed only when the cells were cultured in the presence of Morinda citrifolia leaf aqueous extract. Th ese nodules were positively stained with alizarin red S and were rich in calcium and phosphorus as revealed with energy dispersive x-ray analysis. Conclusion: Th ese data indicate that Morinda citrifolia leaf extract can promote osteogenic diff erentiation as well as matrix mineralization in human periodontal ligament stem cells and suggest that Morinda citrifolia leaf may have therapeutic benefi ts in bone and periodontal tissue regeneration.

Biography

Dr. Kanitsak Boonanantanasarn DDS, PhD is a Diplomat of the American Board of Periodontology. Recently, he has joined Dr. Steven Gill’s laboratory at the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry as a postdoctoral fellow and has an adjunct clinical position at the SUNY at Buffalo, School of Dental Medicine. He is a faculty member in the Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Dentistry, Mahidol University, Thailand. His research interests include growth factors induce tissue engineering and oral microbiota, oral carcinogenesis and stem cell. Additionally, Dr. Boonanantanasarn also discovers natural growth factors from tropical herbs which initiates stem cell differentiation for periodontal tissue engineering. Moreover, in Thailand, he is a pioneer in the screening and development of tropical herbs which demonstrate anticancer properties in oral cancers. He has applied for several patents for these herbs as an adjunctive chemotherapy and inducers for tissue engineering.