In vitro investigation of the effects of Lucilia sericata larval secretion on chondroblast cell line

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of secretions derived from Lucilia sericata (LS) larvae on human chondroblast cells (CHON-001) under in-vitro cell culture conditions. Given the limited regenerative capacity of cartilage and the rising burden of osteoarthritis, delineating LS's bioactivity has translational relevance for cartilage repair. Methods: CHON-001 cells were exposed to graded LS concentrations for 1, 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours. Oxidative stress was induced with hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), and combined LS–H₂O₂ treatments were assessed. Cell viability was quantified by the MTT assay. Because data were non-normally distributed, group differences were analyzed using the Kruskal–Wallis test with Bonferroni-adjusted post hoc comparisons. Results: LS exerted a dose-dependent effect on chondroblast viability. Low to intermediate concentrations significantly enhanced viability, whereas higher doses were cytotoxic. Under H₂O₂ induced oxidative stress, LS, particularly at intermediate doses, preserved cell viability and significantly mitigated oxidative injury compared with H₂O₂ only controls (p<0.01). Conclusion: LS secretions promote chondroblast survival and attenuate oxidative damage in a dose and time contingent manner. These findings support the consideration of LS as an adjuvant biological agent for cartilage regeneration and provide a methodological bridge from wound healing literature to chondrogenic cell models, informing future strategies for osteoarthritis therapy and biomaterial-based regenerative approaches.