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Human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) have demonstrated greater proliferation and osteogenic differentiation potential in certain studies compared to other types of mesenchymal stem cells, making them a promising option for treating craniomaxillofacial bone defects. However, due to low extracting concentration and long amplifying cycles, their access is limited and utilization rates are low. To solve these issues, the principle of bone-forming peptide-1 (BFP1) in situchemotaxis was utilized for the osteogenic differentiation of hDPSCs to achieve simultaneous and synergistic osteogenesis at multiple sites. BFP1-functionalized gelatin methacryloyl hydrogel provided a 3D culture microenvironment for stem cells. The experimental results showed that the 3D composite hydrogel scaffold constructed in this study increased the cell spread area by four times compared with the conventional GelMA scaffold. Furthermore, the problems of high stem cell dosage and low rate of utilization were alleviated by orchestrating the programmed proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of hDPSCs. In vivo, high-quality repair of critical bone defects was achieved using hDPSCs extracted from a single tooth, and multiple ‘bone island’-like structures were successfully observed that rapidly induced robust bone regeneration. In conclusion, this study suggests that this kind of convenient, low-cost, island-like osteogenesis strategy involving a low dose of hDPSCs has great potential for repairing craniomaxillofacial critical-sized bone defects.Graphical Abstract

Citrus reticulataBlanco has been widely used to cure some diseases such as cold, cough and indigestion. This study is aimed at determining the antidepressant-like effect of C. reticulataessential oils (CREOs) in reserpine-induced depression mice, as well as its possible mechanisms. The compositions of CREOs are firstly analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), in which d-limonene is the main component. Moreover, the results from the forced swimming and tail suspension tests show that the inhalation of CREOs can significantly improve the depressive behavior of reserpine-induced depressed mice by reducing the weight of the mice and shortening the immobile time. After sniffing CREOs, the number of normal neurons in the hippocampus of reserpine-induced depressed mice is greatly increased. In addition, CREOs significantly increase the expression level of 5-hydroxytryptamine-1A receptors (5HT-1A), glucocorticoid receptors (GR) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the reserpine-treated mice brain tissue. Thus, these results have indicated that CREOs can be potential materials for drug and food development against depression.