Journal: |
Life Sciences
Elsevier Inc.
|
Volume: |
Volume 331
|
Abstract: |
Aim: PI3K/AKT/GSK-3β/β-catenin signaling pathway is a triggering factor for epithelial to mesenchymal transition
(EMT) which plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. Parthenolide is a sesquiterpene
lactone extract that has anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anticancer properties. Hence, we investigated the effect
of parthenolide against EMT in the endometrial tissue implants and immortalized epithelial endometriotic cell
lines 12Z.
Main methods: Twenty- four female Rats with surgically induced endometriosis were treated with parthenolide
(2, 4 mg/kg), for 4 weeks. Endometriotic cell line 12Z was used to identify the effect of parthenolide on the
wound healing, cellular migration and invasion properties of endometriotic cells.
Key findings: Parthenolide decreased the endometriotic implant tissue expression of total PI3K, PI3K-p85, p-AKT,
p/total AKT, p-GSK-3β, P/total GSK-3β, and nβ-catenin, as well as increased E-cadherin and decreased vimentin
mRNA expression. Parthenolide upregulated PTEN immunoreactivity as well as the endometriotic tissue caspase-
3, caspase-9, BAX levels while reducing Bcl2 level. Additionally, parthenolide decreased endometriotic tissue
implants surface area and histopathological score of the epithelial growth.
Significance: Our findings showed that parthenolide in a dose dependent manner inhibited PI3K/AKT/GSK-3β/nβ-
catenin cascade via enhancement of PTEN with subsequent inhibition of EMT evidenced by elevation of the
epithelial marker, E-cadherin and reduction of mesenchymal marker, vimentin, of the endometriotic implants in
addition to reversal of invasion and migration properties of epithelial endometriotic cell lines. These findings
provide a valuable therapeutic approach for treatment of endometriosis.
|
|
|