Gamze Ayar

Nigella sativa black cumin oil (BCO) exhibits well-documented anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties; however, the impact of extraction-related compositional variation on its cellular and molecular effects in stem cell systems remains insufficiently characterized. This study investigated the effects of cold-pressed (CP) and supercritical CO ₂ (ScCO ₂ )-extracted BCO on the viability, inflammatory response and angiogenic potential of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs). The oil composition and antioxidant activity were assessed using GC/MS and DPPH assays, respectively. ASCs were treated with different volumes of BCO, and cell viability was evaluated at 24, 48 and 72 h using the MTT assay. Anti-inflammatory effects were evaluated by real-time PCR analysis of IL6 and IL10 mRNA expression, while angiogenesis-related molecular responses were evaluated based on VEGF mRNA expression. Both CP and ScCO ₂ -extracted BCO significantly increased ASC viability in a volume-dependent manner, with the highest viability consistently observed at 100 µl (P < 0.05). Treatment with 50 µl and 100 µl of either oil significantly reduced IL6 expression and concomitantly increased IL10 expression at 24 and 48 h (P < 0.05). VEGF expression was also significantly up-regulated at these time points, with ScCO ₂ -extracted BCO inducing a more pronounced and sustained angiogenic response (P < 0.05). These findings indicate that BCO enhances ASC via­bility and molecular responses in a volume-dependent manner, while differences associated with extraction-related compositional variation may modulate inflammation- and angiogenesis-related molecular signalling in ASCs.

Purpose: Acute lung injury (ALI) is a severe pulmonary disorder with limited treatment options. Mesenchymal stem cell-based therapies show regenerative and immunomodulatory potential, but the comparative efficacy of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) and their exosomes remains unclear. This study evaluated their therapeutic effects in an experimental ALI model. Methods: ADMSCs were isolated from rat adipose tissue and cultured under standard conditions. Exosomes were characterized by flow cytometry (CD9, CD63, CD81), scanning electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, and zeta potential analysis. ALI was induced in Wistar Albino rats by intravenous administration of 60 mg/kg oleic acid. Treatments were administered 2.5 hours after injury. Lung tissues were examined histopathologically after 24 hours, and mRNA expression levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were analyzed. Results: Both ADMSC and exosome treatments significantly reduced lung injury scores compared with the oleic acid group. ADMSCs demonstrated greater histopathological improvement than exosomes, although no significant differences were observed in IL-6, IL-10, or VEGF expression. Conclusion: Both ADMSCs and their exosomes showed therapeutic potential in ALI, with stem cells providing superior histopathological recovery.

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the effects of hemp seed oil (HSO) on adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) to enhance tissue repair, regulate inflammation, and promote angiogenesis. Background: HSO, rich in bioactive compounds, was obtained via cold press (CP) and supercritical carbon dioxide (ScCO₂) methods to assess its effects on cytokines and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in ASCs. Methods: Chemical composition were assessed via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and antioxidant activity was determined by measuring the % radical scavenging activity (RSA) with 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). ASCs were treated with HSO and, cell viability was measured at 24, 48, and 72 h using the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT). Gene expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and VEGF was quantified by real-time PCR. Results: The CP-fixed HSO had higher linoleic (48.48%) and oleic acid (29.33%) content than ScCO₂-extracted HSO. Phenolic content and antioxidant activity were greater in CP-fixed HSO [57.85 mgGAE (mgGallic Acid Equivalent)/g, 68.8%] than in ScCO_2-extracted HSO (58.5 mgGAE/g, 19.9%). Cell viability increased significantly with 75 and 100 µL of CP-fixed HSO at 48 and 72 h (p < 0.05). CP-fixed HSO up-regulated IL-10 and reduced IL-6 at 24 and 48 h (p < 0.05), while also increasing VEGF with 50 and 100 µL at 24 and 48 h (p < 0.05). ScCO₂-extracted HSO primarily up-regulated IL-10 but had limited effects on IL-6 and VEGF. Conclusions: CP-fixed HSO had superior phenolic content, antioxidant activity, and enhanced ASC viability, anti-inflammatory effects, and angiogenesis, suggesting strong therapeutic potential for stem cell use.

Pectin is a galacturonic acid rich heteropolysaccharide which regulates plant cell metabolism. Plenty of fresh fruits and fruit pomaces from fruit juice production can be used as a raw material in commercial pectin production. Pectin occupies a large global market size especially in food industry and the utilization of waste materials for obtaining pectin molecules as a high value-added product makes it very favorite industrial material. Besides food industry, pectin is gaining attention in tissue engineering and drug development studies. In this study, the effects of citrus pectin on viability and morphology of human dental pulp stem cell (hDPSC) were investigated. The cells were cultured in the presence of pectin in culture medium (0.43, 0.85 and 1.7 mg/mL) for eight days. Resazurin application and MTT assay were applied on day one and eight for cellular viability. Cellular morphology was investigated by invert phase contrast microscope, live/dead cell staining and F-actin/nucleus immunofluorescence staining. MTT analysis results indicated that the viability of hDPSCs decreased significantly due to dissolved pectin in culture medium at applied concentrations. There was no significant morphological difference in the cells under invert phase contrast microscope and no significant staining difference in live/dead cell staining images. On the other hand, F-actin/nucleus staining showed that there were some condensed and crescent cell nuclei in the pectin applied groups when compared to the control groups which may be related to apoptosis. In conclusion, the viability of hDPSCs decreased and crescent cell nuclei formation was observed due to the presence of citrus pectin in the cell culture medium.