Effects of Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) Extract on the Osteoblast Differentiation Potential of Stem Cells Derived from Human Exfoliated Deciduous Teeth

Abstract

Effects of Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) Extract on the Osteoblast Differentiation Potential of Stem Cells Derived from Human Exfoliated Deciduous Teeth

Nur Sazwi Nordin 1 , Khairani Idah Mokhtar 2* , Basma Ezzat Mustafa 2 , Widya Lestari 2 , Solachuddin Jauhari Arief Ichwan 2 , Deny Susanti Darnis 3 , Thirumulu Ponnuraj Kannan 4 , Azlina Ahmad 4

1 Department of Biomedical Sciences, Kulliyyah of Allied Health Science, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan 25200, Malaysia 2 Department of Fundamental Dental and Medical Science, Kulliyyah of Dentistry, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan 25200, Malaysia 3 Department of Chemistry, Kulliyyah of Science, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan 25200, Malaysia 4 Basic Science and Oral Biology Unit, School of Dental Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian 16150, Malaysia

Abs tra c t Background: Flaxseed promotes bone health and possibly induces bone regeneration. However, the capacity of flaxseed to induce the differentiation of stem cells into osteoblasts remains unreported. Accordingly, this study aimed to determine the effects of flaxseed extract on the osteoblast differentiation potential of stem cells derived from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED). Methods: SHED cultured in osteoblast induction media (OIM) were treated with 4 mg/mL flaxseed extract. RNA was collected and extracted with Total RNA Mini Kit (Geneaid) from cells cultured at days 1, 3, 7, 14, and 21 and subjected to reverse-transcriptase PCR for osteoblast markers (OSX, OCN, and DMP1). Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was determined by ALP assay, and Alizarin Red-S staining was performed to evaluate calcium deposition in SHED. Results: All osteoblast markers were expressed in all samples analyzed. OSX expression was reduced in the SHED treated with flaxseed extract. In addition, the SHED treated with flaxseed extract had lower ALP activity than the control (p < 0.05). Calcium deposition was positive in the SHED cultured in OIM only. Conclusions: Flaxseed can reduce the expression of osteoblast markers, ALP activity, and calcium deposition in SHED. Thus, flaxseed potentially inhibits the osteoblast differentiation of SHED.

K e ywo rds : flaxseed extract, human exfoliated deciduous teeth, osteoblast differentiation, stem cells