Stem cells and nutraceuticals: extracts from myrtle modulate oxidative stress and senescence.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent stem cells
that can differentiate into osteoblasts, chondrocytes,
adipocytes and myocytes if properly stimulated. Adipose tissue
represents a good source for stem cell isolation. Human
adipose tissue derived stem cells (hADSCs) have recently
been proposed as a suitable tool for regeneration therapies
for their simple isolation procedure and high proliferative
capacity in culture. Oxidative stress can cause damage and
senescence in stem cells resulting in loss of regenerative
potential of stem cells. The use of natural molecules could
counteract the senescence of stem cells and restore their
regenerative potential. Myrtus communis L. extracts obtained
from fresh or industrial waste pulp and seeds were tested on
mesenchymal stem cells from adipose tissue. In particular, we
evaluated the effect of these extracts on the expression of specific
genes involved in cell senescence. Mesenchymal stem
cells derived from adipose tissue (ADSCs) were grown in a
basic culturing medium. Cells were cultured in the presence or
absence of freeze-dried myrtle extracts (from fresh or industrial
waste pulp and seeds) for 12, 24 and 48 hours, and then
incubated with H2O2 for 1 hour to induce oxidative stress and
senescence. Our results demonstrate that pre-treating cells
with the extracts could prevented the expression of genes
involved in senescence commitment and the appearance of -
Galactosidase staining, a marker of an established cell senescent
phenotype. On the whole our results suggest that Myrtus
extracts exert important antioxidant and protective activities to
defend cells from stressful and harmful conditions.