Psoralen synergizes with exosome-loaded SPC25 to alleviate senescence of nucleus pulposus cells in intervertebral disc degeneration

OBJECTIVE: To explore the mechanism of psoralen synergized with exosomes (exos)-loaded SPC25 on nucleus pulposus (NP) cell senescence in intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD). METHODS: IVDD cellular models were established on NP cells by tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) induction, followed by the treatment of psoralen or/and exos from adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) transfected with SPC25 overexpression vector (ADSCs-oe-SPC25-Exos). The viability, cell cycle, apoptosis, and senescence of NP cells were examined, accompanied by the expression measurement of aggrecan, COL2A1, Bcl-2, Bax, CDK2, p16, and p21. RESULTS: After TBHP-induced NP cells were treated with psoralen or ADSCs-oe-SPC25-Exos, cell proliferation and the expression of aggrecan, COL2A1, Bcl-2, and CDK2 were promoted; however, the expression of Bax, p16, p21, and inflammatory factors was decreased, and cell senescence, cycle arrest, and apoptosis were inhibited. Of note, psoralen combined with ADSCs-oe-SPC25-Exos further decelerated NP cell senescence and cycle arrest compared to psoralen or ADSCs-oe-SPC25-Exos alone. CONCLUSION: Combined treatment of psoralen and ADSCs-oe-SPC25-Exos exerted an alleviating effect on NP cell senescence, which may provide an insightful idea for IVDD treatment. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13018-023-04085-w.