Evaluation of the osteogenic potential of crocin-incorporated collagen scaffold on the bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells

Abstract

Objective

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of crocin (CRO)-loaded collagen (COL) scaffold on the osteogenic differentiation of rat bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs).

Significance

Different studies have been conducted to develop an efficient strategy to accelerate and improve the recovery process of bone defects. It was shown that CRO, extracted from saffron, could induce osteogenic differentiation of rat BM-MSCs. Scaffolds can also provide a three-dimensional environment for migration, adhesion, growth, and proliferation of MSCs.

Methods

Collagen scaffolds were fabricated through freeze-drying followed by cross-linking by dehydrothermal method. Then, CRO was incorporated into the scaffolds. Physicochemical characterization of the scaffolds was evaluated. Rat BM-MSCs were seeded on CRO-loaded COL scaffolds and cultured for 14 days. Osteogenic differentiation was evaluated using alizarin red (ALZ) staining and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity assay and compared to the positive control group.

Results

The average pore size of the COL scaffolds was about 97 ± 6.7 µm. Formation of amide cross-links was confirmed by FTIR. The scaffolds were capable of uptaking water up to 50 times more than their initial dry weight and releasing above 90% of their uploaded CRO during 24 h. Collagen scaffolds containing CRO (25 and 50 μM) increased ALZ intensity (3.16 ± 0.3 and 7.32 ± 0.3 folds, respectively) and ALP activity (13.7 ± 1.1 and 12.2 ± 9.4 folds, respectively) in comparison with the positive control group.

Conclusion

Crocin-loaded COL scaffold could effectively enhance calcium deposition and ALP activity in BM-MSCs and therefore proposed as a good candidate to accelerate the healing process of vital bone defects.

Keywords:

• Crocin
• collagen scaffold
• mesenchymal stem cell
• osteogenic differentiation
• bone defects

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

The authors are grateful to the Research Council of the Mashhad University of Medical Science, Iran, for approval and financial support of this research (Grant No. 950801) as a part of the Pharm. D. thesis of Mahshid Mirshahi.