Myricetin ameliorates the effects of hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress in human mesenchymal stem cells: an ultrastructural and immunocytochemical study

The development of new strategies to raise the survival and viability of transplanted mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is very important for the therapeutic potential of stem cells. The natural flavonoid myricetin has anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic effects. The effects of myricetin on human umbilical cord-derived MSCs (HUC-MSCs) induced oxidative stress with hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) were evaluated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and immunocytochemistry (ICC) staining. Myricetin showed an increase in the number of live cells, a decrease in caspase-3 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) ICC staining intensity, an increase in the translocase of the mitochondrial inner membrane 17 (TIM17) ICC staining intensity, and a decrease in degeneration of cell ultrastructure in TEM against oxidative stress damage in HUC-MSCs. The results suggest that myricetin prevents oxidative stress-induced apoptosis and inflammation in the HUC-MSCs. Myricetin can be combined with HUC-MSCs in cell culture and considered as a supportive alternative treatment option.