The effect of curcumin, catechin and resveratrol on viability, proliferation and cytotoxicity of human umbilical cord Wharton's jelly derived mesenchymal stem cells

Introduction: Mesenchymal stem cells possess the capability to proliferate and differentiate into diverse lineages. Their beneficial properties have been explored widely to treat various disorders. Phytochemicals like curcumin, catechin and resveratrol have been evaluated for their medicinal values and have promising potential in treating numerous diseases. In this study, we have elucidated the in vitro survival, proliferative and cytotoxic effects of these phytochemicals at selected range of concentrations on human umbilical cord derived Wharton's jelly mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs). Methods: The human WJ-MSCs were extracted using explant culture method and characterized as per International Society for Cellular Therapy (ISCT) guidelines. To analyse the effect of different phytochemicals, the WJMSCs were treated with various concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 1000 mu M and the viability, proliferative and toxicity effects were assayed using (3-(4,5-dimethylthioazolyl-2,5-diphenyltetrozolium bromide) MTT. Results: Curcumin and catechin elicited no cytotoxic effect on WJ-MSCs after 48 hours of treatment between the concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 10 mu M and the viability was maintained above 80 %. For both the phytochemicals, there was a significant decrease in the viability of WJ-MSCs after 50 mu M. Resveratrol was well tolerated at higher doses till 100 mu M with a viability above 90 % and cytotoxic effect was observed above 250 mu M. Conclusion: Curcumin, catechin and resveratrol, affect the viability and proliferation of WJ-MSCs differently at varying concentrations. This data will be useful in deciding the dose of phytochemicals when employed concomitantly with stem cells to increase their efficiency.