Enhancing Osteoblastic Cell Cultures with Gelatin Methacryloyl, Bovine Lactoferrin, and Bioactive Mesoporous Glass Scaffolds Loaded with Distinct Parsley Extracts.

The increasing interest in innovative solutions for addressing bone defects has driven research into the use of Bioactive Mesoporous Glasses (MBGs). These materials, distinguished by their well-ordered mesoporous structure, possess the capability to accommodate plant extracts with well-established osteogenic properties, including bovine lactoferrin (bLF), as part of their 3D scaffold composition. This harmonizes seamlessly with the ongoing advancements in the field of biomedicine. In this study, we fabricated 3D scaffolds utilizing MBGs loaded with extracts from parsley leaves (PL) and embryogenic cultures (EC), rich in bioactive compounds such as apigenin and kaempferol, which hold potential benefits for bone metabolism. Gelatin Methacryloyl (GelMa) served as the polymer, and bLF was included in the formulation. Cytocompatibility, Runx2 gene expression, ALP enzyme activity, and biomineralization were assessed in preosteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cell cultures. MBGs effectively integrated PL and EC extracts with loadings between 22.6 ± 0.1 and 43.6 ± 0.3 µM for PL and 26.3 ± 0.3 and 46.8 ± 0.4 µM for EC, ensuring cell viability through a release percentage between 28.3% and 59.9%. The incorporation of bLF in the 3D scaffold formulation showed significant differences compared to the control in all assays, even at concentrations below 0.2 µM. Combinations, especially PL + bLF at 0.19 µM, demonstrated additive potential, with superior biomineralization compared to EC. In summary, this study highlights the effectiveness of MBGs in incorporating PL and EC extracts, along with bLF, into 3D scaffolds. The results underscore cytocompatibility, osteogenic activity, and biomineralization, offering exciting potential for future in vivo applications.

Aqueous crude extract of Rhoeo discolor, a Mexican medicinal plant, decreases the formation of liver preneoplastic foci in rats.

There are many plants in Mexico with medicinal properties, some of them used in alternative medicine to treat cancer, such is the case of Rhoeo discolor L. Hér Hance (Commelinaceae family); however, there are not scientific reports that validate their antitumoral property. The present study shows the protective effects of the Rhoeo discolor aqueous crude extract (ACE) against rat liver cancer using the resistant-hepatocyte model. The carcinogenesis protocol consisted on the initiation with N-diethylnitrosamine, followed by the promotion with 2-acetylaminofluorene and a partial hepatectomy. After 24 days, the gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase positive, corresponding to altered hepatocytes foci (AHF), were quantified. Additionally to discard a possible carcinogenic effect of ACE, it was first tested as promoting agent instead 2-acetylaminofluorene, and second, ACE was administered as initiator and promoter instead of the whole carcinogenic treatment. In summary, firstly, ACE administration reduced the number and area of preneoplastic lesions with dose below 20mg/kg body weight and secondly, ACE administration neither presented a promoting or initiator effects nor induced the development of AHF. Results of this investigation justify continuing with further studies of Rhoeo discolor components to develop chemoprevention strategies as an option in the treatment of cancer.