Effect of Nanocurcumin on Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Markers and Apoptosis in Ovarian Granulosa Cells of Endometriosis-induced Mice

In: Tropical Journal of Natural Product Research · 2026 · vol. 10(6) · doi:10.26538/tjnpr/v10i6.67 · W7167077988
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Nanocurcumin administration reduced endoplasmic reticulum stress markers GRP78, CHOP, and caspase-3 in ovarian granulosa cells of endometriosis-induced mice.

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This study investigated whether oral nanocurcumin, delivered in a chitosan matrix at 50, 100, or 200 mg doses for 14 days, alters endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress markers and apoptosis in ovarian granulosa cells in a mouse model of endometriosis. Using immunohistochemistry, the authors measured GRP78, CHOP, and caspase-3 expression across control and nanocurcumin-treated groups. Nanocurcumin dose-dependently reduced ER-stress–related changes, with the P2 group showing the lowest mean GRP78 and caspase-3 expression and CHOP lowest in the P1 group, alongside significant differences versus untreated groups depending on dose. A key limitation is that the reported outcomes rely on marker expression in tissue sections without additional mechanistic or fertility readouts beyond the proposed context. This paper is centrally about endometriosis — it uses an endometriosis-induced mouse model to test nanocurcumin effects on ER stress and apoptosis in ovarian granulosa cells.

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Effect of Nanocurcumin on Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Markers and Apoptosis in Ovarian Granulosa Cells of Endometriosis-induced Mice DOI: https://doi.org/10.26538/tjnpr/v10i6.67Keywords: Caspase-3, CHOP, GRP78, Granulosa Cells, Endometriosis, NanocurcuminAbstract Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the female reproductive system and is strongly associated with infertility. It increases oxidative stress, triggers endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and causes granulosa cell damage. Current treatments are often ineffective when combined with infertility therapy. Nanocurcumin has shown potential to reduce granulosa cell apoptosis. This study aimed to determine the effect of Nanocurcumin on endoplasmic reticulum stress markers and apoptosis in ovarian granulosa cells. Thirty-five female mice (Mus musculus) were divided into two control groups and three treatment groups. Nanocurcumin was formulated using a chitosan matrix at doses of 50 mg (P1), 100 mg (P2), and 200 mg (P3). Nanocurcumin was administered orally for 14 days, and ovarian tissues were examined by immunohistochemistry to assess differences in the expression of GRP78, CHOP, and caspase-3. Histological results showed that the P2 group had the lowest mean expression of GRP78 and caspase-3, with values of 4.13 ± 1.08 and 4.47 ± 1.35, respectively (p = 0.042 and 0.040). CHOP expression was lowest in the P1 group (3.29 ± 0.59, p = 0.032). Significant differences in GRP78, CHOP, and caspase-3 expression were observed between the Nanocurcumin-treated and untreated groups, depending on the administered dose. Administration of Nanocurcumin effectively reduces ER stress-mediated apoptosis in ovarian granulosa cells. Nanocurcumin may improve oocyte quality during folliculogenesis in endometriosis-related infertility.Downloads References 1.Bonavina G, Taylor HS. Endometriosis-associated infertility: From pathophysiology to tailored treatment. 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