Investigation of the effect of natural astaxanthin on cytotoxicity of mesenchymal stromal cells

Abstract

The search for new promising dental products that have anti-inflammatory, wound-healing, antibacterial and immunomodulatory effects and at the same time exhibit minimal side effects is quite an urgent task of modern scientific and practical medicine. As part of this work, we have produced four samples of an antioxidant dental gel containing natural astaxanthin. Astaxanthin, which is part of the dental gel, by its chemical structure belongs to the class of carotenoids and is a natural antioxidant present in various amounts in living organisms.
 The first gel sample we made consisted of natural astaxanthin. An additional substance of the second sample of the preventive gel was interferon [12]. Interferon α has the ability to stimulate the phagocytic activity of macrophages, as well as the cytotoxic activity of T cells and NK cells. It has an indirect antiviral effect, increasing the body’s resistance to viral infections and modulating the immune system’s response aimed at neutralizing viruses or destroying infected cells. The third sample of dental gel contained polyprenol. Polyprenols are precursors of the most important transport lipid of all living organisms, dolichol. Since 2012, polyprenols have been included in the list of the most important essential components of nutrition for normal life support. Polyprenols are included in the list of vital components for the human body, as they are the building material for damaged cells. They help to stabilize cell membranes and restore cells of the brain, heart, liver and other organs, stimulate energy exchange and regenerative potential of body tissues. Polyprenols interact perfectly with antioxidants, increasing the efficiency of their work. The fourth sample included scallop extract as an enhancer of natural astaxanthin.
 Objective: to evaluate the effect of antioxidant gel on the survival and proliferation of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) of the human umbilical cord.
 Materials and methods. Antioxidant gel with astaxanthin, astaxanthin with interferon, astaxanthin with polyprenol and astaxanthin with scallop extract were examined for the viability of MSCs in the MTT test and in the PI test.
 Results. The antioxidant gel with interferon and polyprenol has a proliferative effect on MSCs compared to control samples, which confirms its potential of side effects, antitoxic and wound healing effect. When studying the induction of apoptosis, we found that the percentage of apoptotic cells according to the PI test did not differ from the cells of the control group, which may indicate the absence of apoptosis-inducing effect of drugs on mesenchymal stromal cells.
 Conclusion. Studying the effects of the developed preventive antioxidant gel with astaxanthin, astaxanthin and interferon, astaxanthin and polyprenol, astaxanthin and scallop extract on the stromal cells of the human umbilical cord, no toxic and side effects were recorded.