The Protective Effects of Cultured Mesenchymal Stem Cells onto the Surface of Electrospun Poly-L-Lactide Acid Scaffolds Coated with Matricaria Chamomilla L. Oil in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rabbits

Background: Although Matricaria chamomilla L. oil has been shown to contribute to the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into insulin-producing cells, the molecular mechanisms underlying its effect in the treatment of Type 1 Diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is still not available. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of cultured MSCs on the surface of electrospun Poly-L-Lactide acid (PLLA) scaffolds coated with Matricaria chamomilla L. oil in treatment of T1DM and clarify its possible mechanisms. Methods: The current experimental study was performed using a total number of 36 male New Zealand white rabbits in the Experimental Animal Unit of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences Tehran, Iran, in 2018. A rabbit model of T1DM was established through a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) (80 mg/kg body weight)-1 dissolved in 0.2 mL of normal saline. For 21 days after implantation of cultured MSCs on the surface of electrospun PLLA scaffolds coatedwith Matricaria chamomilla L. oil, blood glucose levels, plasma insulin levels, plasma and pancreatic glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) were evaluated. Results: The STZ-treated rabbits exhibited decreased levels of blood glucose (P < 0.01 vs. other groups except control), increased levels of plasma insulin (P < 0.01 vs. other groups except control), plasma and pancreatic GLP-1 (P < 0.001 vs. control, and P < 0.05 vs. other groups except control) at 21 days after implantation of cultured MSCs on the surface of electrospun PLLA scaffolds coated with Matricaria chamomilla L. oil. Conclusions: Collectively, our finding showed the presence of Matricaria chamomilla L. oil might improve survival and differentiation MSCs in insulin producing cells that can be attributed to antioxidant properties of its bioactive compounds.