A survey of Osteopontin and Osteocalcin genes expression in osteoblasts derived from Wharton s jelly mesenchymal stem cells of human umbilical cord by licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) root extract

Osteoporosis or silent disease is one of the most prevalent diseases in elderly menopause women in current century. Estrogen plays an important role in osteogenesis and prevention of bone Fractures. Hormone replacement therapy can increase the risk of breast and ovary cancers and cardiovascular disease. Thus, there is an increasing dema nd for replacement with plant phytoestrogens. The aim of this study is focused on determining the effects of aqueous extract of licorice root on osteogenesis progress in Wharton s jelly mesenchymal stem cells (WJMSCs). WJMSCs were isolated from human umbilical cord matrix and treated with different amount of licorice root extract.Extract cytotoxity was measured using MTT assay. The Alizarin red staining and RT-PCR were performed to evaluate the differentiation progress. MTT Assay results showed that a number of concentration of licorice extract such as 600 μg/ml (cell viability values were around 85%) and two lower doses (500 and 400 μg/ml) are non-toxic for osteogenic differentiation. The maximum morphological changes and extracellular matrix staining take place in 600 μg/ml doses of plant extract. RT-PCR result demonstrates in 14 days the groups that treated with licorice extract express osteocalcin and osteopontin genes. Based on the results obtained in this study, it can be concluded that licorice root has positive effects on bone proliferation and differentiation in human mesenchymal stem cells.

Keywords:

Extract , Licorice , Wharton s jelly , Stem cell , Osteogenesis