Understanding the effect of ginger on dental pulp stem cells differentiation into chondrocyte

Ginger is utilised as a plant-based anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic medication in traditional medicine. Human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) are an ideal in vitro model for screening drugs and biological agents. This study evaluated the effect of ginger extract on the chondrogenic differentiation of hDPSCs. Dental pulp stem cells were isolated using explant culture method. Stem cells surface marker expression and tri-lineage differentiation of hDPSCs were studied. The cytotoxic impact of the ginger extract on hDPSCs was measured using the MTT assay. The impact of ginger on the differentiation of hDPSCs into chondrocytes was examined using gene expression and biochemical staining. The surface markers CD34, CD45, and HLA-DR were negative in the hDPSCs, while CD73, CD90, and CD105 were positive. The hDPSCs exhibited osteocyte, chondrocyte and adipocyte differentiation. The viability of hDPSC was significantly increased at a concentration of 10 μg/ml of ginger. Ginger administration increased the amount of glycosaminoglycan containing extracellular matrix in hDPSCs and demonstrated by Safranin O staining. Ginger extract is a suitable candidate for cartilage repair because it promotes chondrogenic differentiation in hDPSC. Therefore, this could be explored further in the treatment of cartilage disorders. However, further investigation to be required.