Curcumin inhibits endometriosis endometrial cells by reducing estradiol\nproduction

Background: Endometriosis is a complex estrogen-dependent disease that\nis defined as the presence of endometrial gland and stroma outside the\nuterine cavity. Although the exact mechanism for the development of\nendometriosis remains unclear, there is a large body of research data\nand circumstantial evidence that suggests a crucial role of estrogen in\nthe establishment and maintenance of this disease. Objective: This\nstudy is an attempt to assess the effect of curcumin on inhibiting\nendometriosis endometrial cells and to investigate whether such an\neffect is mediated by reducing estradiol production. Materials and\nMethods: Endometriotic stromal cells, normal endometrial stromal cells,\nendometriotic epithelial cells and normal endometrial epithelial cells\nwere isolated and cultured. E2 value of cells and the effect of\ncurcumin on cell proliferation were evaluated. Finally, effect of\ncurcumin on E2 assay was detected. Results: Electrochemiluminescence\nimmunoassay results showed that E2 value of endometriotic epithelial\ncells was higher than the endometriotic stromal cells (p=0.037), while\nthe expression of E2 in normal endometrial stromal and epithelial cells\nwas extremely low. WST-8 result showed, compared with endometrial\nstromal cells, ectopic endometriotic stromal cells had a higher growth\nrate. After intervene with curcumin (10μmol/L, 30μmol/L and\n50μmol/L) for 0-96h, the number of endometriotic stromal cells was\nreduced and cells growth slowed, compared with 0μmol/L group.\nCompared with 0μmol/L group, E2 level was lower after treatment\nwith curcumin, especially in 30μmol/L and 50μmol/L group.\nConclusion: In summary, in this study we found that E2 is important in\nectopic endometrium, and epithelial cell is in dominant position with\nE2 secretion. Curcumin was able to suppress the proliferation of\nendometrial cells by reducing the E2 value.