Effect of Eriocitrin on Cell Proliferation, Apoptosis, Migration, and Scar Formation-Related Genes Expression in Tendon Stem Cells.

Tendinopathy is a common disease in elite and recreational athletes, and Eriocitrin is a flavonoid compound, which has antioxidant properties. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of Eriocitrin on tendon stem cells in vitro. Different concentrations of Eriocitrin (0, 25, 50, 75 µM) were used to treat tendon stem cells, cell proliferation was determined by CCK8 assay, apoptosis was detected by propidium iodide (PI) staining assays and caspase-3 activity assessment, wound-healing assaywas selected to detect the migration, and RT-PCR was chosen to detect the expression levels of scar formation-related gene markers (COMP, Fibronectin, and Biglycan). Eriocitrin treatment promoted cell proliferation of tendon stem cells in dose-dependent manner, and it reduced the apoptotic activities and improved the migration of tendon stem cells. It inhibited COMP, Biglycan, and Fibronectin expression. In summary, eriocitrin promoted cell proliferation of tendon stem cells, improved the migration of tendon stem cells, and inhibited the expression levels of some scar formation-related gene markers.