Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) have been recommended as promising candidate for cell-based therapeutic applications due to high potentials in tissue repair/regeneration and modulation of immune responses. The gene expression change strategy by natural plant enhancers is an available opportunity to improve the stemness properties of these cells. The objective of this research was the evaluation of Crocin effects (saffron plant's bioactive compound) on immunoregulation and tissue regeneration-related biomarkers expression in human DPSCs. Based on the results of cell viability assay, application of 400 μM and lower concentrations of Crocin had no toxic effects on DPSCs; however, the time-dependent cytotoxic effects were observed at higher concentrations. This study, probably for the first time, detected the surface expression of CD200 in DPSCs with a slight time-dependent upward trend and reported that treatment with Crocin could increase expression of this macromolecule up to many times over. Also, it revealed that this carotenoid significantly led to the time-dependent upregulation of dentin sialophosphoprotein, vascular endothelial growth factor A, human leukocyte antigen-G5, and signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 messenger ribonucleic acids (mRNAs); however, this significant upregulation for STAT3 occurred, followed by a remarkable reduction. The results of this study indicated that cell treatment with Crocin may be effective in improving the stemness capacities of DPSCs. Therefore, the study provided basis for more insights into the biological effects of Crocin on DPSCs that it may aid in the future improvement of mesenchymal stem cell-based therapies.

中文翻译：

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藏红花素对人牙髓干细胞 DSPP、VEGF-A、HLA-G5、STAT3 和 CD200 表达影响的体外研究

由于在组织修复/再生和免疫反应调节方面的高潜力，牙髓干细胞 (DPSC) 已被推荐为基于细胞的治疗应用的有希望的候选者。天然植物增强剂的基因表达改变策略是改善这些细胞的干性特性的可用机会。本研究的目的是评估藏红花素（藏红花植物的生物活性化合物）对人类 DPSCs 中免疫调节和组织再生相关生物标志物表达的影响。根据细胞活力测定结果，应用400 μM及更低浓度的Crocin对DPSCs没有毒性作用；然而，在较高浓度下观察到时间依赖性细胞毒性作用。这项研究，可能是第一次，检测到 DPSCs 中 CD200 的表面表达具有轻微的时间依赖性上升趋势，并报道用 Crocin 处理可以使该大分子的表达增加数倍。此外，它还揭示了这种类胡萝卜素显着导致牙本质唾液磷蛋白、血管内皮生长因子 A、人白细胞抗原-G5 以及转录-3 信使核糖核酸 (mRNA) 的信号转导和激活因子的时间依赖性上调；然而，这种显着的上调 人类白细胞抗原-G5，以及转录-3 信使核糖核酸 (mRNA) 的信号转导和激活剂；然而，这种显着的上调 人类白细胞抗原-G5，以及转录-3 信使核糖核酸 (mRNA) 的信号转导和激活剂；然而，这种显着的上调STAT3发生，随后显着减少。这项研究的结果表明，用 Crocin 处理细胞可能有效提高 DPSCs 的干细胞能力。因此，该研究为深入了解藏红花素对 DPSCs 的生物学效应提供了基础，这可能有助于未来改进基于间充质干细胞的疗法。