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.
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.
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).
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.