Human placental extract: a potential therapeutic in treating osteoarthritis

Abstract

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease marked by cartilage degradation and loss of function. Recently, there have been increased efforts to attenuate and reverse OA by stimulating cartilage regeneration and preventing cartilage degradation. Human placental extract (HPE) may be an option due to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and growth stimulatory properties. These properties are useful in preventing cell death and senescence, which may optimize in-situ cartilage regeneration. In this review, we discuss the anatomy and physiology of the placenta, as well as explore in vivo and in vitro studies assessing its effects on tissue regeneration. Finally, we assess the potential role of HPE in cartilage regenerative medicine and OA. The Medline database was utilized for all studies that involved the use of HPE or human placenta hydrolysate. Exclusion criteria included articles not written in English, conference reviews, editorials, letters to the editor, surveys, case reports, and case series. HPE had significant anti-inflammatory and regenerative properties in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, HPE had a role in attenuating cellular senescence and cell apoptosis via reduction of reactive oxidative species both in vitro and in vivo. One study explored the effects of HPE in OA and demonstrated reduction in cartilage catabolic gene expression, indicating HPE's effect in attenuating OA. HPE houses favorable properties that can attenuate and reverse tissue damage. This may be a beneficial therapeutic in OA as it creates a more favorable environment for in-situ cartilage regeneration.More well designed in-vitro and in-vivo studies are needed to define the role of HPE in treating OA.

Comparative Study between the Effect of Stem Cells and Placental Extract on Streptozotocin Damaged Liver in Diabetic Rats

“…These promising results reflect a great improvement in the liver condition and make us recommend its trial in humans with liver diseases for many reasons; First: PE is a mixture of some proteins, growth factors, vitamins and trace elements so it could be administered safely especially it has been already used in many other diseases with almost no reported side effects. 18 Second: some researchers reported promising actions of PE against immune-mediated hepatitis 14 . Third: placental extract injection was reported to have anti-inflammatory and regenerative effects on damaged tissues that could help with various liver injuries 19 .…”

“…Placental extract is manufactured by the hydrolyzation of placental cells. The final extract contains collagen, elastin, laminin, trace elements, peptides, cytokines and Polydeoxyribonucleotide (PRDN) 18 . PE also includes essential and nonessential amino acids, which in vitro promote fibroblast proliferation and collagen formation 19 .…”

“…PE also includes essential and nonessential amino acids, which in vitro promote fibroblast proliferation and collagen formation 19 . High concentrations of vitamins that promote energy production and cellular metabolism, as well as high concentrations of growth factors with antiinflammatory and reformative properties, are found in placental extracts 18 .…”

Can human placental extract help patients with osteoarthritis?

“…The overall theory of biologic therapies is to help repair native cartilage through regeneration of chondrocytes or alteration of intracellular signaling pathways (8,9). However, not all of these modalities perform equally, and the article by Gwam et al in Annals of Translational Medicine reviews the literature surrounding the efficacy of HPE, and its prospective application to OA (10).…”

“…Utilizing HPE to improve OA may be possible due to the nature of this extract. The Gwam study thoroughly explains the purpose of the placenta, and the antiinflammatory factors it possesses which may be able to help regenerate cartilage (10). Although it is traditionally considered a noninflammatory disease, OA still results in some joint inflammation which may be susceptible to the modulatory effect of placental mesenchymal stem cells (pMSCs) (2,11,12).…”