Osteogenic Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells via Curcumin-Containing Nanoscaffolds

Studies have shown that a range of therapeutic effects of
various herbal medicines can be identified [1–4]. Curcumin
(diferuloylmethane) as a bioactive hydrophobic polyphenolic
ingredient is obtained from Curcuma longa
(turmeric) rhizome. Recently, it received significant attentions
as a medicinal plant due to its unique therapeutic
benefits including antipathogenic, antioxidant, anti-inflammation,
antiangiogenic, anticancer, and antidiabetic effects,
as treatment for central nervous system and cardiovascular
disorders, in skin diseases and the cosmetic industry, lung
diseases, antiatherosclerotic, ophthalmic, cystic fibrosis and
osteoporosis, beta-thalassemia, etc. [5–8]. Also, it was
reported as a valuable material in nutritional supplements
due to the pleiotropic pharmacological properties [9].
Despite its multitarget biological effects, there are limitations
to its clinical use due to its low absorption, bioavailability,
and short half-life. Recently, several nanoparticles
such as solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers,
liposomes, micelles, nanogels, and magnetic nanoparticles
are developed as novel and potential therapeutic
strategies to improve therapeutic effects of various drugs
such as curcumin [5–11].
Various investigations have demonstrated that novel
systems of curcumin and stem cell differentiation have
wonderful therapeutic potential against various bonerelated
diseases [12]. An enhancement in adipocyte number
in obesity can be the result of extreme differentiation of
mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) to cell lineages of adipose.