Official Publication of the National Center for Trauma Research Trauma Monthly 2251-7464 31 2 2026 04 01 Regenerative Effects of Scrophularia Striata and Adipose Tissue–Derived Stem Cells on Dental Pulp Tissue: An Animal Model 1790 1805 240694 10.30491/tm.2026.571330.1919 EN Arezoo Liaghat Research Center for Prevention of Oral and Dental Diseases, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran ; Department of Endodontics, School of Dentistry, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Behnam Bolhari Dental Research Center, Dentistry Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Samira Hajisadeghi Research Center for Prevention of Oral and Dental Diseases, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Endodontics, School of Dentistry, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Masood Ghorbani Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Mahmood Salesi Chemical Injuries Research Center, Systems Biology and Poisonings Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Narges Marefati Department of Physiology and Medical Physics, Faculty of Medicine, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Zahra Bahari Department of Physiology and Medical Physics, Faculty of Medicine, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 0000-0003-3205-1235 Journal Article 2026 01 07 Introduction: This study aimed to determine the effects of Scrophularia striata and adipose tissue–derived stem cells on the expression of Kruppel-like factor 4 (KLF4), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor genes during pulp tissue regeneration.<br>Methods: The methanolic extract of Scrophularia striata was prepared by maceration (Scro). Adipose tissue was harvested from the bilateral inguinal region of rats that did not undergo surgery, and adipose-derived stem cells (SC) were isolated and characterized. Pulp inflammation was induced in the rats, and pulpectomy was performed at the end of the second week. After placement of a triple-antibiotic paste for 2 weeks, regenerative treatment with drugs and materials was performed. The teeth were randomly divided into four groups (n = 4/group): (1) control (blood clot only), (2) Scrophularia alone (Scro), (3) stem cells alone (SC), and (4) Scrophularia + stem cells (SC+Scro). One to four weeks after tooth filling, the dental pulp was harvested from the animals. Real-time PCR was used to measure the expression levels of KLF4, MCP-1, and BDNF genes.<br>Results: The highest level of KLF4 expression was observed in the SC group (P = 0.001), which was significantly reduced in the SC+Scro group compared with the SC group (P = 0.001). Injection of Scro significantly decreased MCP-1 gene expression compared with the control group (P = 0.001). Injection of Scro, SC, and SC+Scro significantly increased BDNF gene expression compared with the control group (P = 0.001). The highest BDNF expression was observed in the Scro group (P = 0.001), which was significantly reduced in the SC+Scro group compared with the Scro and SC groups (P = 0.001).<br>Conclusion: Application of the Scro extract increased the expression of KLF4 and BDNF genes and decreased MCP-1 expression. Application of the Scro+SC combination increased the expression of KLF4, BDNF, and MCP-1 genes. https://www.traumamon.com/article_240694_6f2c73b702e8b5da203c1e0d5fec8d88.pdf