The Effect of Sea Cucumber Extract (Holothuria scabra) on the Proliferation of Human Placenta Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells
Kornthong N, PhD1,4, Saengsuwan J, MSc1, Duangprom S, MSc1, Songkoomkrong S, MSc1, Vivattanasarn T, BSc1, Suwansa-ard S, PhD2, Manochantr S, PhD3,4, Sobhon P, PhD5
Affiliation : 1 Chulabhorn International College of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathumthani, Thailand 2 Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, Queensland, Australia 3 Division of Cell Biology, Department of Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathumthani, Thailand 4 Center of Excellence in Stem Cell Research, Thammasat University, Pathumthani, Thailand 5 Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
Background : The sea cucumber, Holothuria scabra, is an economically important aquatic species. They have received considerable
attention because of their self-regeneration ability. They may contain numerous growth factors necessary to drive the proliferation
and differentiation of stem cells for tissue maintenance. The knowledge of regenerative process, including the factors that regulate
this process, may provide a new treatment option for degenerative diseases in human.
Objective : The present study focused on the effects of sea cucumber extract (H. scabra) on the proliferation of mesenchymal
stromal cells (MSCs) derived from human placenta.
Materials and Methods : The H. scabra crude protein extracts were prepared from the body wall (BW) and viscera (VI) using 0.1 M
phosphate buffer saline (PBS) and 0.1M acetic acid buffers. MSCs were isolated from the human placenta using enzyme digestion.
The effects of H. scabra extracts on cytotoxicity and MSC proliferation were evaluated using MTT assay and cell counting, respectively.
Results : The SDS-PAGE showed abundance of proteins in the BW and VI extracts using 0.1M PBS buffer. Less abundant proteins were
observed in the tissues extract using 0.1M acetic acid buffer. However, proteins with molecular weight of ~38 kDa and ~17 kDa
were highly detected in BW. The H. scabra protein extracts at low doses did not show any toxicity to PL-MSCs, moreover they could
increase the cell number at the range of 0.01 μg/ml to 25 μg/ml. The treatment of 0.1 and 1 μg/ml of H. scabra extracts increased the
proliferative rate of MSCs when compared with control.
Conclusion : These results obtained an in vitro proliferative potency of the H. scabra extracts on MSCs derived from human placenta.
While further studies are required, this finding has provided the evidence that the sea cucumber extracts could be potentially used
to induce in vitro MSC proliferation.
Keywords : Holothuria scabra, Mesenchymal stromal cells, Sea cucumber, Proliferation
