Objective and design Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are currently used in cell reparative medicine due to their trophic and ant-inflammatory properties. The modulation of stem cell properties by phytochemicals has been suggested as a tool to empower their tissue repair capacity. In vitro, MSCs are characterized by their tri-lineage potential that holds great interest for tissue regeneration. Ptychotis Verticillata (PV), an aromatic and medicinal plant, may be thus used to modulate the in vitro multilineage potential of MSCs. Materials and methodsWe screened the impact of PV-derived essential oil and their bioactive molecules (thymol and carvacrol) on the in vitro multilineage potential of MSCs. Different concentrations and incubation times of these compounds were assessed during the osteogenesis and adipogenesis of MSCs. ResultsThe analysis of 75 conditions indicates that these compounds are biologically active by promoting two major differentiation lineages from MSCs. In a time-and dose-dependent manner, thymol and carvacrol increased the osteogenesis and adipogenesis. Conclusion According to these preliminary observations, the addition of PV extract may stimulate the tissue regenerative and repair functions of MSCs. Further optimization of compound extraction and characterization from PV as well as cell treatment conditions should increase their therapeutic value in combination with MSCs.

We are pleased to present this Special Issue of Cells, entitled ‘Feature Papers in Stem Cells’ [...]