Ginseng Compound Affects Immune Cell and Stem Cell Interactions in Inflammation

Jenn Hoskins
28th August, 2024

Ginseng Compound Affects Immune Cell and Stem Cell Interactions in Inflammation

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • The study from Xi'an Jiaotong University explored using Ginsenoside Rb1 (GRb1) to enhance dental pulp repair under inflammatory conditions
  • GRb1 was found to promote the transformation of pro-inflammatory M1 macrophages into anti-inflammatory M2 macrophages
  • This transformation significantly increased the odontogenic differentiation of dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs), aiding in the formation of reparative dentine
Dental caries, commonly known as tooth decay, remains a significant global health issue. The burden of untreated caries has been extensively studied, revealing trends and inequalities in its prevalence[2]. Traditional caries management has evolved from complete removal of carious dentine to minimally invasive techniques aimed at preserving the pulp's vitality[3]. Recent research from Xi'an Jiaotong University, College of Stomatology, has introduced a novel approach involving the use of Ginsenoside Rb1 (GRb1) to enhance dental pulp repair under inflammatory conditions[1]. The study focuses on the role of dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) in repairing damaged pulp tissue. DPSCs are crucial for pulp tissue regeneration, but unresolved inflammation often hampers their effectiveness. M2 macrophages, a type of immune cell, have been shown to induce the differentiation of DPSCs into cells that can form dentine, the hard tissue beneath the enamel. GRb1, a major component of ginseng, is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and its ability to promote the transformation of M1 macrophages (pro-inflammatory) into M2 macrophages (anti-inflammatory) in other inflammatory diseases. The study aimed to determine whether GRb1 could facilitate the odontogenic (tooth-forming) differentiation of DPSCs by promoting M2 macrophage polarization under inflammatory conditions. In the study, human monocyte leukemic cells (THP-1) were differentiated into macrophages and induced into the M1 subtype. These M1 macrophages were then treated with GRb1. The conditioned medium from these treated macrophages was added to DPSCs. The co-cultured system was subjected to odontogenic differentiation in osteogenic media. The researchers assessed the effects of GRb1 on the osteogenic/odontogenic differentiation of human DPSCs (hDPSCs) under inflammatory conditions using various assays, including alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining, Alizarin Red S (ARS) staining, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction testing. The results demonstrated that GRb1 could effectively promote the polarization of macrophages from the M1 subtype to the M2 subtype. This shift in macrophage phenotype was crucial, as the conditioned medium from GRb1-treated M1 macrophages significantly increased the gene expression of ALP, DSPP (dentin sialophosphoprotein), and DMP1 (dentin matrix protein 1), which are markers of odontogenic differentiation. Furthermore, ALP and ARS staining revealed that the osteogenic/odontogenic differentiation ability of hDPSCs was enhanced in the GRb1-treated group compared to the untreated group. These findings are particularly relevant in the context of deep caries management. Traditional methods often involve extensive removal of carious dentine, which can lead to pulp exposure and necessitate more invasive treatments like pulpectomy. The promotion of minimally invasive, biologically based treatment strategies has been advocated to reduce the risk of pulp exposure and enhance the natural reparative processes of the pulp-dentine complex[3]. The study's findings suggest that GRb1 could be a valuable addition to these strategies by modulating the inflammatory response and promoting reparative dentine formation. The study also builds on previous research indicating the importance of the pulp-dentine complex's defensive and reparative response to irritation[3]. The discovery that epiregulin enhances odontoblastic differentiation of DPSCs via MAPK pathways[4] aligns with the current study's findings on the role of GRb1 in promoting M2 macrophage polarization and subsequent odontogenic differentiation. Both studies highlight the potential for targeted molecular interventions to improve dental pulp repair and regeneration. In conclusion, the research from Xi'an Jiaotong University provides compelling evidence that GRb1 can modulate the interaction between macrophages and DPSCs during inflammation, thereby enhancing the reparative processes in dental pulp. This study offers promising insights into the development of new, minimally invasive treatments for deep caries and other dental pulp injuries, addressing a critical need for more effective and less destructive dental therapies.

MedicineHealthBiochem

References

Main Study

1) Ginsenoside RB1 Influences Macrophage-DPSC Interactions in Inflammatory Conditions.

Published 26th August, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.identj.2024.07.1213

Related Studies

2) Global Burden and Inequality of Dental Caries, 1990 to 2019.

https://doi.org/10.1177/00220345211056247

3) Management of deep caries and the exposed pulp.

https://doi.org/10.1111/iej.13128

4) Epiregulin enhances odontoblastic differentiation of dental pulp stem cells via activating MAPK signalling pathway.

https://doi.org/10.1111/cpr.12680


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