Digoxin as a Cardiac Glycosoids induced Apoptosis in Mesenchymal Stem Cells: an in Vitro Study

Abstract

Low number of engrafted cells is the main challenge in stem cell therapy. The cells should overcome with reactive oxygen species, food deprivation and toxicity of the pharmacological agents that patients take during their treatment. As an example, cardiac glycosides such as digoxin can inhibit the cell proliferation and lead to apoptosis. Therefore, in this study, we are trying to know stem cell behavior following digoxin treatment. Mesenchymal Stem Cells were treated with different concentrations of digoxin for 6, 12, 24 and 48 hours. Cell viability was detected with trypan blue. Hoechst staining and tunnel assay were conducted to evaluate nuclear configuration and apoptosis in MSCs. Cell viability decreased after digoxin treatment in all groups during 6, 12, 24 and 48h significantly (P