Gauging nature8217;s power

It is only within the last 50 years that stem cells have been recognised for their therapeutic value.

As researches bring out the fact that menstrual blood is a rich source of stem cells, the possibility of using the same for cellular therapies gain ground

It is only within the last 50 years that stem cells have been recognised for their therapeutic value. It is these therapeutic applications that have become the primary focus of studies by researchers and scientists from around the world. Since the very first bone marrow transplant in the 19508217;s, to the 19808217;s and 8217;908217;s, when more than 16,000 stem cell transplants were performed to treat leukemia and immune system diseases, research into regenerative cellular therapies for a wide range of human diseases has rapidly advanced.

The master stem cell or the zygote, wherein human life begins, is created when a woman8217;s egg is fertilised by her partner8217;s sperm. Shortly thereafter, this master stem cell begins to multiply into hundreds of millions of cells, including a large number of other stem cells, as the embryo develops during the early stages of pregnancy, says Dr Ajit Kumar, chief scientific officer, Life Cell International.

Most recently, medical researchers have discovered adult stem cells in the endometrial lining of the uterus, says Kumar.

Another path-breaking discovery in this area is that menstrual blood itself is a rich source of stem cells and serves as a potential source for promising regenerative therapies to treat heart disease, diabetes, neurological disorders like spinal cord injury, Parkinson8217;s and Alzheimer8217;s diseases, in addition to cosmeceutical applications such as anti-aging therapies, to name a few. In simple terms, potentially life-saving stem cells are found naturally in menstrual blood.

The menstrual stem cell comes from the uterine lining endometrium that is shed as part of a woman8217;s menstrual period. These menstrual stem cells are unique because they have many properties and characteristics similar to both bone marrow and embryonic stem cells.

Until now, menstrual blood has been discarded as unsanitary waste. However, as recent research has shown menstrual fluid contains self-renewing stem cells that can be easily collected, processed and cryo-preserved for potential cellular therapies that may emerge in the future. They multiply rapidly and can differentiate into many other types of cells such as neural, cardiac, bone, fat, cartilage and possibly others; demonstrating great potential for cell therapy. Preliminary research suggests that in addition to possible use by the donor, these stem cells may also be used to benefit other family members who are genetically related to the donor, such as a parent, sibling or child.