6 research outputs found
Copaiba Oil Resin Exerts an Additive Effect to Babassu Oil on Behavioral Changes in Human Endometriotic Cell Cultures
Background: Current drugs for the treatment of endometriosis are not able to completely cure the condition, and significant side effects hinder the continuation of treatment. Therefore, it is necessary to search for new drug candidates. In the present paper, the use of plant extracts is highlighted. Babassu oil and Copaiba oil resin have several therapeutic properties. We investigated the in vitro effects of two nanoemulsions containing oil extracted from Babassu (Orbignya speciosa) nuts (called SNEDDS-18) and/or oil resin extracted from Copaiba trunk (Copaifera langsdorffii) (called SNEDDS-18/COPA) on cultured human eutopic endometrium stromal cells from endometrial biopsies of patients without (CESC) and with (EuESC) endometriosis as well as human stromal cells from biopsies of endometriotic lesions (EctESC). Methods: CESC, EuESC, and EctESC were taken and treated with SNEDDS-18 and SNEDDS-18/COPA to evaluate their effects on cytotoxicity, cell morphology, proliferation, and signaling pathways. Results: After 48 h of incubation with SNEDDS-18 and SNEDDS-18/COPA, cell viability and proliferation were inhibited, especially in EctESC. The lowest concentration of both nanoemulsions reduced cell viability and proliferation and broke down the cytoskeleton in EctESCs. After 24 h of treatment a decrease in IL-1, TNF-α, and MCP-1 was observed, as well as an increase in IL-10 production. Conclusions: Both nanoemulsions can affect endometriotic stromal cell behaviors, thus revealing two potential candidates for new phytotherapeutic agents for the management of endometriosis
Aberrant levels of Wnt/β-catenin pathway components in a rat model of endometriosis
Endometriosis is a benign gynecological
disease affecting approximately 10-15% of women of
reproductive age and 25-50% of all infertile women. It is
characterized by the presence of glands and/or
endometrial stroma outside the uterine cavity.
Angiogenesis is a crucial process for the development
and maintenance of endometriotic lesions. The Wnt/βcatenin pathway is a major promoter of angiogenesis in
both physiological and pathological conditions. In the
present study, we evaluated the expression of molecules
related to the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in a rat model of
peritoneal endometriosis. mRNA analyses showed
significantly increased expression of Wnt4 and Wnt7b
and decreased expression of Gsk3beta and E-cadherin in
endometriotic lesions. However, there were no
differences in β-catenin and Fzd2 mRNA expression. In
addition, we observed a significant increase of nuclear
β-catenin in endometriotic lesions, a hallmark of Wnt/ β
-catenin pathway activation. Stromal β-catenin staining
was found in 45.4% of endometrial tissues and 77.8% of
endometriotic lesions. β-catenin nuclear localization was
found in 18.2% of the endometrial tissues and 33.3% of
endometriotic lesions. Finally, the expression of
galectin-3, a regulator of this pathway, was increased in
endometriosis. In summary, this pattern of Wnt/βcatenin components expression suggests an increased
activity of this pathway in endometriosis