Periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSC) are stem cells found near the periodontal ligament of the teeth. They are involved in adult regeneration of the periodontal ligament, alveolar bone, and cementum.

Cementum is a specialized calcified substance covering the root of a tooth, and attaches the teeth to the alveolar bone by anchoring the periodontal ligament.

A research conducted by scientists in Chongqing Medical Univesity, China, showed that ginsenoside Rg1 stimulates the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of PDLSCs. The finding was published on the 35th volume (2013) of Journal of Third Military Medical University, China.

Below is the abstract of the research:

Objective: To evaluate the effect of ginsenoside Rg1 on the proliferation and osteogenic potential of human periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs).

Methods: PDLSCs at passage 3 were incubated with different concentrations of ginsenoside Rg1 (0.25, 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 μmol/L). The effect of ginsenoside Rg1 on the proliferative ability of PDLSCs was evaluated by MTT assay, and flow cytometry was used for detecting cell cycle. The osteogenic potential of the cells was assayed by ALP enzymatic activity, real-time RT-PCR and radioimmunoassay, rspectively. Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results: Compared with the control group, the proliferative ability of PDLSCs in ginsenoside Rg1 groups (0.5, 1 and 2 μmol/L) was significantly enhanced (P<0.05), especially in the ginsenoside Rg1 group (1 μmol/L). Cell cycle analysis showed that ginsenoside Rg1 (1 μmol/L) significantly increased the proportion of PDLSCs in proliferative phase (S+G2/M phase). ALP activity and the expression of osteocalcin (OCN) and bFGF significantly were increased in ginsenoside Rg1 group (1 μmol/L) as compared with the control group (P<0.05).

Conclusion: Ginsenoside Rg1 can promote the proliferation and osteogenic potential of PDLSCs in vitro.