Effects of Salvia miltorrhiza in neural differentiation of rat mesenchymal stem cells with optimized protocol

Abstract Aim of the study The present study was aimed to explore the effects of Salvia miltorrhiza in inducing rMSCs to differentiate into functional neurons. Materials and methods rMSCs were isolated and cultured in vitro, then Salvia miltorrhiza was added to induce rMSCs to differentiate repeatedly for 5 times with an optimized protocol, and neurophysiological functions such as action potential, endocytosis and exocytosis of the induced cells were investigated. Results About 98% of rMSCs expressed markers related to neural stem cells after treatment with preinduction medium, but they remained fibroform, the classical morphological state of MSCs, after exposure to induction medium for 2 h, and the induced cells showed a neural shape. Next, fetal bovine serum (FBS) was added into the induction medium, transforming the neuron-like cells into fibroform cells. Finally, after exposure to induction medium, the cells could be transformed into neuron-like cells again. After the procedure was repeated 5 times, the induced cells displayed a classical neural shape and more than 95% of them expressed neural markers, including TUJ-1, NF and synaptophysin. Furthermore, the induced cells displayed neurophysiological functions, as characterized by action potential, endocytosis and exocytosis in response to a solution with a high concentration of potassium (K + ). Conclusion Salvia miltorrhiza can induce rMSCs to differentiate into neurons with neurophysiological functions efficiently by an optimized protocol.