Baicalein reduces endometriosis by suppressing the viability of human endometrial stromal cells through the nuclear factor-κB pathway in vitro

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of baicalein on human endometrial stromal cells in vitro. Ectopic endometrium samples were obtained from 6 female patients with ovarian endometriosis who underwent laparoscopic surgical procedures from July to September 2015. After culturing the cells, immunocytochemistry was performed to verify the purity and homogeneity of the endometrial stromal cells, and a Cell Counting Kit-8 assay was used to evaluate cell viability. In addition, cell cycle progression was analyzed using flow cytometry, and the effects of baicalein on the expression of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and cyclin D1 in endometrial stromal cells were evaluated using western blot analysis. The related signaling pathways were also investigated by incubating cells with inhibitors of signaling pathways, prior to adding 40 µM baicalein for 48 h, followed by analysis of cell viability using a Cell Counting Kit-8 assay. The results indicated that treatment with baicalein significantly induced a dose-dependent decrease (P<0.05) in the viability of human endometrial stromal cells, which was abolished by inhibition of the nuclear factor (NF)-κB signaling pathway. However, baicalein treatment did not induce a time-dependent decrease in viability, as cell viabilities between the 24, 48 and 72 h treatment groups did not differ significantly. The number of cells in the G0/G1 phase significantly increased following treatment with baicalein (P<0.05), while the number of cells in the S and G2/M phases significantly decreased (P<0.05). Baicalein-treated cells also exhibited significantly reduced expression of Bcl-2, PCNA and cyclin D1 compared with control cells (P<0.05). These results suggested that baicalein may suppress the viability of human endometrial stromal cells through the NF-κB signaling pathway in vitro, and may induce apoptosis and promote cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase. Thus, baicalein may provide a novel treatment option for endometriosis.

A comprehensive review on phytochemistry, pharmacology, and flavonoid biosynthesis ofScutellaria baicalensis

“…Baicalein could reduce endometriosis by suppressing the viability of human endometrial stromal cells in vitro (Jin et al. 2017). Furthremore, baicalin exhibited embryo-protection (Qi et al.…”

Baicalein inhibits FURIN‐MT1‐MMP‐mediated invasion of ectopic endometrial stromal cells in endometriosis possibly by reducing the secretion of TGFB1

“…Our previous study indicated that baicalein induced a dose-dependent decrease in the viability of EcESCs, and the half-maximum inhibition concentration was 80 μmol/L. 33 In the present study, the EcESCs were treated with different concentrations of baicalein (0, 10, 20, and 40 μmol/L) for 48 hours. The results indicated that baicalein significantly suppressed the invasion of EcESCs in a dose-dependent manner ( Figure 1D).…”

“…MT1-MMP, membrane-type1 matrix metalloproteinase; ns, no significant it cannot be excluded that the reduction in weight and number of lesions may be due to the effect of baicalein on cell proliferation and apoptosis based on our previous paper. 33 Adverse events, including abdominal distention, decrease in plasma fibrinogen levels, and hyperactive bowel sounds, were observed in a randomized, double-blind, single-dose trial of baicalein in 72 healthy adults. 62 However, the authors suggested that baicalein was well tolerated and the adverse events were resolved without the need for additional treatment.…”

“…31,32 Our previous study showed that baicalein reduced the viability of ectopic endometrial stromal cells (EcESCs) and induced apoptosis through the NF-kB signaling pathway. 33 However, whether baicalein affects the invasiveness of…”

Novel Drug Targets with Traditional Herbal Medicines for Overcoming Endometriosis

“…(2017) suggested that baicalein might suppress the viability of human endometrial stromal cells through the NF-κB signaling pathway in vitro . Thus, baicalein may provide a novel treatment option for endometriosis [177].…”