Dental Pulp Stem Cells, or (DPSCs) are multipotent stem cells that have the potential to differentiate into a variety of cell types, including cells producing Bone and tissue in the oral cavity. Also, there are various studies where, through the stimulation of tissue-specific cytokines, these cells can differentiate into a variety of other cell types including 1) myocardiocytes to repair damaged cardiac tissue following a heart attack, 2) neuron to generate nerve and brain tissue, 3) osteocytes to generate bone, 4) chondrocytes to generate cartilage, etc. Therefore, dental pulp stem cells have a variety of clinical applications.

When dental pulp stem cells were treated with ginsenosides Rg1 and a BMP-2 (bone morphogenetic protein-2), these cells differentiated and produced dentin, making tooth regeneration possible. The finding was published by scientists in Chongqing Medical University on Laser Journal, 2012, volume 33, issue 3.

Title: Effect of ginsenoside Rgl and recombinant bone morphogenetic protein 2 on differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells in vitro
Laser Journal , 2012(03)
Abstract:
Objective: The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effect of ginsenoside Rg1 and recombinant bone morphogenetic protein 2(rhBMP-2) on the differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells(DPSCs).

Methods: DPSCs were isolated and cultured.The cells were incubated with different concentrations of ginsenoside Rg1(0.1,0.5,2.5,5,10,20μmol/L) and rhBMP-2(25,50,100和200 ng/ml).The effect on the differentiation of DPSCs was assayed by ALP enzymatic activity,and the gene expression of dentin sialophosphoprotein(DSPP) and dentin matrix protein 1(DMP1) by real time RT-PCR.

Results: Comparing with the control group, ALP activity (alkaline phosphatase is particularly concentrated in bone and teeth) was significantly enhanced in ginsenoside Rgl(2.5,5,and 10μmol/L) group(P<0.001), especially in ginsenoside Rgl(5μmol/L) group. ALP activity was significantly enhanced in rhBMP-2(50,100,200 ng/ml) group,especially in rhBMP-2(100 ng/ml) group. The gene expression of DSPP and DMP1 were significantly increased in the combination group of ginsenoside Rgl(5μmol/L) and rhBMP-2(100 ng/ml) compared with single application of ginsenoside Rgl or rhBMP-2 only at the same time points(P < 0.001).

Conclusion: The results indicate that ginsenoside Rgl promotes the differentiation of DPSCs.Combined application of ginsenoside Rgl and rhBMP2 can greatly promote DPSCs differentiation.