The Effect of Curcumin on Angiogenic and Proliferative Factors inHuman Endometriotic Cells.

Abstract

Background: Endometriosis is a benign gynaecological disorder characterised by the presence of endometrial-like tissue outside the uterus. Proliferation of endometrial tissue and neoangiogenesis are essential factors in the development of endometriosis. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and insulin-like growth factors (IGF1, IGF2) can be effective in neoangiogenesis and cell proliferation. Imprinted long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) H19 is involved in endometriosis pathogenesis through the regulation of cellular proliferation and differentiation. Curcumin has antiangiogenic, anti-proliferative, and anti-invasive properties for various diseases, and it is hypothesised that it may have therapeutic effects on endometriosis. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of curcumin on the expression of VEGF, IGF1, IGF2, and H19 lncRNA, as well as on cell migration and proliferation in endometrial stromal cells isolated from women with endometriosis.

Materials and methods: In this experimental study, human normal endometrial stromal cells (N-ESCs) from healthy endometrial tissue and human eutopic endometrial stromal cells (EU-ESCs) from endometriosis patients were cultured and treated with different concentrations of curcumin (0-100 mM) for 72 hours. Then, the effects of curcumin on cell viability, proliferation, and migration were assessed using methylthiazole tetrazolium (MTT) and the scratch test, respectively. Expressions of genes involved in angiogenesis (VEGF), proliferation (IGF1, IGF2), and the H19 lncRNA gene were evaluated using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Results: Curcumin decreased cell migration and proliferation of endometriotic stromal cells in a time- and concentration- dependent manner. It also reduced VEGF expression and increased the expressions of H19, IGF1, and IGF2.

Conclusion: The anti-migration effect of curcumin on EU-ESCs and its impact on the expression of proliferative and angiogenic genes indicate that curcumin can be a promising treatment for endometriosis.