Enhanced osteogenic differentiation potential of Arnica montana and Bellis perennis in C3H10T1/2 multipotent mesenchymal stem cells.

Abstract

Arnica montanaandBellis perennisare two medicinal plants that are thought to accelerate bone repair in homoeopathic literature. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent stem cells with the ability to differentiate and regenerate bone or osteogenesis.Hence, we aimed to determine the role ofArnica montanaandBellis perennison the osteogenic differentiation of the C3H10T1/2 stem cell line. The cell proliferation ofArnica montanaandBellis perenniswas evaluated by MTT assay. Osteogenic differentiation of C3H10T1/2 was induced by the addition of β-glycerophosphate, ascorbic acid and dexamethasone in the differentiation medium over 3 weeks. Cells were treated with Arnica montana andBellis perennis individually as well as in combination. The osteogenic differentiation potential ofArnica montana andBellis perennis to differentiate C3H10T1/2 into osteoblasts was measured by alkaline phosphatase activity, alizarin red staining and the expression of Osteocalcin using immunostaining and qRT-PCR. Arnica montana and Bellis perennis could enhance C3H10T1/2 cell proliferation at 1600µg. Further, the compound showed the ability to augment osteogenesis as confirmed by increased expression of alkaline phosphatase and enhanced calcium accumulation as seen by the Alizarin Red staining and quantification. Enhanced osteogenesis was further supported by the increased expression of osteocalcin in the treated cells with individual and combined doses of Arnica montana and Bellis perennis. Therefore, the findings provide additional support for the positive impact of Arnica montana and Bellis perennis on bone formation. Our findings suggest that homoeopathic compoundsArnica montanaandBellis perenniscan augment osteogenesis individually as well as in combination.