Curcumol inhibits endometrial cell invasion through the NF-κB pathway in rats with endometriosis

Curcumol (Cur) has been found to be useful in improving Endometriosis (EMS), however its mechanism of action is still not completely understood. Based on this, the current study was carried out to investigate the mechanism of Cur on the invasion and metastasis of endothelium cells in rats with EMS, with the goal of supporting the development of new Chinese medicinal formulations for EMS. The Endometrial stromal cells (ESCs) were separated from the EMS rat model. Effects of Cur on the viability, migration and invasive activity of ESC were tested by CCK-8, LDH release assay, Transwell and Western blot assays, respectively. The effects of Cur on inflammation and immunological function in rats were assessed by ELISA and flow cytometry. Meanwhile, Cur's effect on ESC biological behavior and in vivo function was studied by treating with PMA and analyzing the potential mechanism. Cur inhibited ESC proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner, with an inhibition rate of approximately 50% at 0.1μmol/L. ESC's invasive and migratory forces decreased considerably following treatment with 0.1μmol/L Cur, which was effectively reversed by adding PMA. Cur gavage administration reduced blood levels of inflammatory factors, elevated the CD3+, CD4+/CD8+ immune index in rats. PMA gavage therapy weakened Cur's ability to suppress inflammation and improve immunological function in EMS rats. Cur inhibits endothelial cell invasion and metastasis, attenuates inflammatory response and improves immune function in EMS rats via modulating the NF-κB pathway.