Ginsenoside Rg3 attenuates endometriosis by inhibiting the viability of human ectopic endometrial stromal cells through the nuclear factor-kappaB signaling pathway

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of ginsenoside Rg3 on human ectopic endometriotic stromal cells in vitro. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ectopic endometrial tissue specimens were obtained from 6 female patients with ovarian endometriosis who underwent laparoscopic surgical procedures. Endometrial stromal cells derived from isolated ectopic endometriotic lesions were cultured, and the purity and homogeneity of cells were verified by Immunocytochemistry. The effect of Rg3 on cell proliferation was detected by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8). After treatment with Rg3, the protein expression of NF-κB p65 subunit, VEGF, and caspases3 were measured by western blot analysis. Meanwhile, the mRNA expression of NF-κB p65 subunit was determined by Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: Rg3 inhibited the proliferation of ectopic endometriotic cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The treatment with Rg3 significantly diminished the level of NF-κB p65 subunit as well as TNF-α induced nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 subunit in ectopic endometriotic cells. Moreover, Rg3 upregulated the expression of caspases3 but suppressed the expression of VEGF. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that Ginsenoside Rg3 suppresses endometriosis by reducing the viability of human ectopic endometrial stromal cells involving the nuclear factor-kappaB signaling pathway in vitro.