OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Shuanghuangbu on the adhesion growth and proliferation of human periodontal ligament cells (HPDLCs) on the zein scaffold, and to study the feasibility of Shuanghuangbu zein used in the periodontal tissue engineering as a compound scaffold material.

METHODSHPDLCs were cultured in vitro using the explants adherent method. Shuanghuangbu Decoction was prepared using water extraction and alcohol precipitation method. Zein scaffold was prepared using solvent casting/corpuscle leaching method, which was dispensed into Shuanghuangbu culture fluid at the concentration of 50, 100, 150, 200, 500, 1000 microg/mL, respectively. Shuanghuangbu of different concentrations groups, the zein scaffold leaching liquid group, and the cell control group were also set up. The effect of each group on the proliferation of HPDLCs was detected by MTT. According to results of MTT, the best concentration of Shuanghuangbu (100 microg/mL) was selected as the experiment group. Ten percent FBS of DMEM culture fluid was taken as the control group. The effect of Shuanghuangbu on the morphology of HPDLCs on the zein scaffold was observed using inverted phase contrast microscope and scanning electron microscope.

RESULTSCompared with the zein scaffold leaching liquid group and the cell control group, the proliferation of HPDLCs could be promoted by different concentrations of Shuanghuangbu culture fluid, with the most obvious effect shown by Shuanghuangbu at 100 microg/mL (P<0.01). There was no obvious difference between the zein scaffold leaching liquid group and the cell control group (P>0.05), but their cell proliferation rates were positive values. The morphological results demonstrated that HPDLCs successfully grew on the zein scaffold. The number of HPDLCs under the action of Shuanghuangbu was more and the morphous was better.

CONCLUSIONSShuanghuangbu could promote the adhesion growth and proliferation of HPDLCs on the zein scaffold. Shuang- huangbu zein was feasible to be used in the periodontal tissue engineering as a compound scaffold materia.

Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Materials Testing ; Periodontal Ligament ; cytology ; drug effects ; Tissue Engineering ; Tissue Scaffolds ; Zein

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of electronspun PLGA/HAp/Zein scaffolds on the repair of cartilage defects.

METHODSThe PLGA/HAp/Zein composite scaffolds were fabricated by electrospinning method. The physiochemical properties and biocompatibility of the scaffolds were separately characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) culture and animal experiments.

RESULTSThe prepared PLGA/HAp/Zein scaffolds showed fibrous structure with homogenous distribution. hUC-MSCs could attach to and grow well on PLGA/HAp/Zein scaffolds, and there was no significant difference between cell proliferation on scaffolds and that without scaffolds (P>0.05). The PLGA/HAp/Zein scaffolds possessed excellent ability to promote in vivo cartilage formation. Moreover, there was a large amount of immature chondrocytes and matrix with cartilage lacuna on PLGA/HAp/Zein scaffolds.

CONCLUSIONThe data suggest that the PLGA/HAp/Zein scaffolds possess good biocompatibility, which are anticipated to be potentially applied in cartilage tissue engineering and reconstruction.

Animals ; Biocompatible Materials ; Bone Development ; physiology ; Cartilage ; growth & development ; Cells, Cultured ; Durapatite ; chemistry ; Female ; Humans ; Lactic Acid ; chemistry ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; physiology ; Polyglycolic Acid ; chemistry ; Regeneration ; physiology ; Tissue Scaffolds ; chemistry ; Young Adult ; Zein ; chemistry

AIMTissue engineering is a promising area with a broad range of applications in the fields of regenerative medicine and human health. The emergence of periodontal tissue engineering for clinical treatment of periodontal disease has opened a new therapeutic avenue. The choice of scaffold is crucial. This study was conducted to prepare zein scaffold and explore the suitability of zein and Shuanghuangbu for periodontal tissue engineering.

METHODOLOGYA zein scaffold was made using the solvent casting/particulate leaching method with sodium chloride (NaCl) particles as the porogen. The physical properties of the zein scaffold were evaluated by observing its shape and determining its pore structure and porosity. Cytotoxicity testing of the scaffold was carried out via in vitro cell culture experiments, including a liquid extraction experiment and the direct contact assay. Also, the Chinese medicine Shuanghuangbu, as a growth factor, was diluted by scaffold extract into different concentrations. This Shuanghuangbu-scaffold extract was then added to periodontal ligament cells (PDLCs) in order to determine its effect on cell proliferation.

RESULTSThe zein scaffold displayed a sponge-like structure with a high porosity and sufficient thickness. The porosity and pore size of the zein scaffold can be controlled by changing the porogen particles dosage and size. The porosity was up to 64.1%-78.0%. The pores were well-distributed, interconnected, and porous. The toxicity of the zein scaffold was graded as 0-1. Furthermore, PDLCs displayed full stretching and vigorous growth under scanning electronic microscope (SEM). Shuanghuangbu-scaffold extract could reinforce proliferation activity of PDLCs compared to the control group, especially at 100 microg x mL(-1) (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONA zein scaffold with high porosity, open pore wall structure, and good biocompatibility is conducive to the growth of PDLCs. Zein could be used as scaffold to repair periodontal tissue defects. Also, Shuanghuangbu-scaffold extract can enhance the proliferation activity of PDLCs. Altogether, these findings provide the basis for in vivo testing on animals.

Biocompatible Materials ; chemistry ; toxicity ; Cell Adhesion ; drug effects ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cell Shape ; drug effects ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Chemical Phenomena ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; toxicity ; Humans ; Materials Testing ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Particle Size ; Periodontal Ligament ; cytology ; drug effects ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Polypodiaceae ; chemistry ; Porosity ; Scutellaria baicalensis ; chemistry ; Sodium Chloride ; chemistry ; Time Factors ; Tissue Engineering ; instrumentation ; methods ; Tissue Scaffolds ; chemistry ; Zein ; chemistry ; toxicity