Enhanced odontoblast regeneration and anti-inflammatory effects of nanocurcumin-loaded BM-MSC-derived exosomes in an LPS-induced periodontitis rat model

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Periodontitis is commonly known as a chronic inflammatory disease which adversely affects pulpal and periodontal tissues, including odontoblasts. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes (BM-MSC-Exo) and nanocurcumin (NCUR) possess anti-inflammatory and regenerative properties; however, their combined effects on odontoblasts remain insufficiently explored. The research target was to assess the histological, histochemical, and anti-inflammatory effects of BM-MSC-Exo and NCUR-loaded BM-MSC-Exo on odontoblasts of LPS-induced periodontitis in rats. METHODS: Twenty-eight male albino rats were assigned at random into four groups (n = 7 each): control, periodontitis, periodontitis treated with BM-MSC-Exo, and periodontitis treated with NCUR-loaded BM-MSC-Exo. Periodontitis was induced via intra-periodontal LPS injections. Histological evaluation was performed using hematoxylin and eosin staining, and collagen synthesis was analyzed using Masson's trichrome stain. Morphometric analysis of newly formed collagen and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) of interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels were conducted. RESULTS: Untreated periodontitis caused marked odontoblastic degeneration, reduced predentin thickness, and decreased collagen formation. Treatment with BM-MSC-Exo significantly improved odontoblastic architecture, enhanced collagen deposition, and increased IL-10 expression. NCUR-loaded BM-MSC-Exo demonstrated superior regenerative and anti-inflammatory effects, characterized by improved odontoblastic organization, increasing the area of newly formed collagen, and significantly elevated IL-10 levels compared with all other groups (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: BM-MSC-Exo exerts regenerative effects on odontoblasts in periodontitis, which are further enhanced by NCUR loading. NCUR-loaded BM-MSC-Exo declares an encouraging cell-free medicinal strategy for regeneration of periodontal and pulpal tissues.